Interesting, Umut, and it makes sense also. I have understood -DI past is the tense with the highest profile in Turkish. It is both

                             a) absolute past AND

                             b) perfective (completed) aspect.

I think the starting point is here:

The expression uzun zamandır matches with progressive aspect. If you try to bring -DI- past here it is meaningless. But strangely enough it works with negation and I wonder why:

Just like it has to do with the action sphere of the negation but I cannot catch the thought now.

Anyway, I wanted to know the differences and now I do. Thank you.

Sorry, I did not see you deli. Good news anyway, it doesn´t matter if we translate it twice does it?

My Try:

NURGÜR YEŞİLÇAY AND TOLGA KARAÇELİK APPEARED IN PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE FIGHT

Did Nurgül Yeşilçay forgive Tolga Karaçelik?

Nurgül Yeşilçay and her sweetheart Tolga Karaçelik appeared in front of Star TV Süper Starlife cameras for the first time after the fight they made in the middle of the street.

According to the news of Ayaklıgazete.com Nurgül Yeşilçay whose fighting with her sweetheart Tolga Karaçelik in the middle of the street almost two months ago had a wide coverage in the media has forgiven her sweetheart. The couple who made an appearance for the press together preferred not to answer the questions they were asked. Their being in a rather good mood did not go unnoticed.

What is the difference between

                    Uzun zamandır seni görmüyorum

                    AND Uzun zamandır seni görmedim ?

Is it possible to say

                    ?Uzun zamandır seni görmüyordum ?

Sorry, I misunderstood you. I thought you wanted to open a discussion...too late maybe.

I agree with you, haniagree. I liked school mathematics and I think it is one of the best subjects for a linguist to master.

To develop your thought a little bit further I would say that Turkish is mostly adding up. The use of brackets and other rules concerning order of operations are also needed.  What makes it resemble equation solving is the way sentences are built: certain elements need their counterparts and it is your job to find them all and make the wholeness match.

A Turkish sentence may be difficult for many reasons but it is always based on quite  simple mathematics in my opinion.

It is about religion. It seemed clear to me from the first sight. What else but God can you describe with attributions like this: the only one who really knows you, your arm and wing, your clear sea, the one you eventually return to?

The addressee has been lost. Despite the fact that she knew what is best for her she kept her own mind and trusted herself to strangers.

Well, I think it could be seen in two ways: the speaker is accusing or he is calling her back in repentance. I chose the latter one because the metaphors are merciful, compassionate, offering a second chance. The speaker is not turning away from a hopeless case but explaining the basics once more patiently.

Musa Eroğlu, Telli turnam

My Try for the lyrics:

Telli turnam selam götür
sevgilimin diyarına:
üzülmesin ağlamasın,
belki gelirim yarına cananıma.

Crane, convey my greetings

to the land of my beloved.

Tell her not to be sad, not to cry

maybe by tomorrow I will come to my precious.

-----------------------------

Hasret kimseye kalmasın,
sevdalılar ayrılmasın,ayrılmasın.
Ben yandım, eller yanmasın
sevdanın, aşkın uğruna can uğruna

May no one long any more,

may lovers not part.

I was ruined, may others not be ruined

for the sake of passion and love, for the sake of life.

-------------------------------

Gönüle hasret yazıldı,
sevgiye mezar kazıldı.
İki damla yaş süzüldü
gözlerimin pınarına,pınarına.

Yearning was written to the heart,

a grave was dug for love.

Two tears trickled

to the wells of my eyes.

-----------------------------------

Hasret kimseye kalmasın,
sevdalılar ayrılmasın,ayrılmasın.
Ben yandım, eller yanmasın
sevdanın aşkın uğruna can uğruna

May no one long any more

May lovers not part.

I was ruined, may others not be ruined

A beautiful invitation to monotheism, that´s how I see it.

The language is amazingly modern, I would use the word pure if I may. I had to check the timing: thirteenth century isn´t it?

But let´s not forget the under age girls in Bangkok brothels and abused little girls in Congo jungles. They need schools as badly.