1. Introduction

This paper introduces the study of locality in syntactic operations under the framework of the simplest solution, emphasizing the importance of locality limitations in syntactic deduction, reflecting the structural relationships and deduction methods of syntactic components. The article reviews the history of locality research and points out that since the 1960s, generative syntax has always focused on locality research. Chomsky's theory has unique insights into locality within the framework of the simplest solution. The article also discusses the universality, sources, properties, and definition of locality restrictions, and points out the remaining issues that need further research.

2. Localized features of syntactic relationships

In depth exploration of the locality characteristics of syntactic operations, illustrated through three specific cases: referential constraints, semantic role assignments, and syntactic shifts. In the constraint section of reference language, the consistency relationship between reference language and antecedent, as well as the principles of component control and the concept of constraint domain, were discussed. Through specific examples, it demonstrates how reference language can find suitable antecedents within clauses, as well as the impact of shift on constraint relationships. The semantic role assignment section emphasizes the proximity between arguments and predicates, as well as the role of extrapolation in forming the underlying structure, indicating that even if arguments are shifted away from predicates, their semantic interpretation still depends on the underlying structure. Finally, the syntactic shift section discusses the concept of internal merging and how interrogative word shift occurs in special interrogative sentences, including how interrogative words gradually move from one clause to another, as well as the generation mechanism of long-distance interrogative sentences. Overall, the chapter highlights the operation of syntactic operations under locality constraints and how these operations achieve legitimacy in different syntactic structures.

3. Representative explanation of syntactic locality

Deeply explored the locality issue of syntactic operations under the framework of the simplest solution. Since the 1960s, locality has become an important and ongoing research field in generative linguistics. Chomsky conducted important analyses on the locality of syntactic relationships in his work in 1995 and 2001, proposing the Minimum Connection Condition (MLC), which specifies that probes preferentially attract the nearest goal, thus explaining the phenomenon of locality in syntactic shifts. For example, in English general interrogative sentences, the inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb follows MLC, only attracting the first auxiliary verb to move to position C.

4. The origin, nature, and definition of syntactic locality

Deeply explored the sources, properties, and definitions of syntactic locality. Syntactic locality arises from the merging and shifting operations in the simplest scheme, both of which are performed at close range, leading to the phenomenon of locality. Merge constructs syntactic structures through binary branching, while shift copies components to new positions and maintains selected locality relationships through discourse traces. The property of syntactic locality is reflected in hierarchical distance rather than non-linear distance, and locality limitation reflects the organization in hierarchical structure. The shift aims to control the position of components, such as DP moving into [Spec, TP] in argument shift, which satisfies the EPP characteristics of T. The definition of syntactic locality involves the nearest distance of displacement, which depends on the specific syntactic operation and the nature of syntactic relationships. Rizzi's RM theory states that intervention effect and shortest distance are relative and need to be defined based on specific operations.

5. Remaining issues

Explored unresolved issues in the study of syntactic operational locality, including priority effects, identification and transfer of segmental units, derivation of superelevation structures, and anti locality limitations. The priority effect does not follow the nearest distance principle in certain situations, such as in master-slave compound structures and complex interrogative phrases, where syntactic operations may be influenced by discourse. The identification of language units involves CP, vP, and possible DP, as well as their integration in semantic and phonetic interfaces. In the super elevated structure, the argument shift is hindered by the position of the intermediate subject, and the reasons for its illegality need to be further explored. Anti locality restriction states that syntactic operations cannot be too close, such as subject topicalization being illegal and object topicalization being legal. Locality and anti locality may conflict in certain situations, and further research is needed to clarify their interactions. The subject interrogative sentences and inverted structures in English provide analytical materials for the study of anti locality.

6. Conclusion

Emphasis was placed on the principle of locality in syntactic operations, and it was pointed out that establishing syntactic connections between components requires compliance and proximity requirements. The article analyzes Chomsky's MLC and PIC theories, arguing that they explain syntactic locality from the perspective of probes and highlight the attractive effect of probes. The displacement process is seen as the probe attracting the target to a specific position. MLC and PIC each have their own advantages in explaining language phenomena, but Hu Xiaoshi (2022) believes that their conditions do not need to be unified, and further research is needed.