Türk Dillerinde -g- Ünsüzünün Erken Düşüşü

This study presents a re-evaluation of certain morphologically problematic words in Turkic languages, such as yastuk, batak, and batuk. It is observed that previous analyses have remained insufficient due to an underestimation of both semantic structure and phonological development. The conventional derivation of yastuk from yasta- with the suffix -(O)k is shown to be problematic on semantic and morphological grounds. Instead, it is proposed that the form derives either from yasta-gak (agentive) or yasta-gOk (instrumental), both of which align more consistently with expected functional roles.Similarly, batak is identified as polysemous, appearing both in the sense of ‘bog’ and ‘diving bird’, and it is demonstrated that these meanings arise from distinct morphological processes. The former is traced to bat-ïg+gak, indicating resemblance to a sinking place, while the latter is derived from bat-gak, with agentive semantics. The early elision of -g- in some derivations is discussed, with reference to multiple historical attestations, and is argued to be phonologically regular within specific contexts.Additionally, the origin of kulak (‘ear’) is reassessed, and the form kul-gA+gAk is proposed, justified through its morphological consistency and phonological variants. It is concluded that several Early Turkic word forms can be more adequately explained when morphological complexity and diachronic sound change are jointly taken into account.