Arabic and Semitic

Abstract Chapter 2 introduces the reader to Arabic as a Semitic language. A core of basic phonological and morphological structures characterizes all of the Semitic languages. In this world, Arabic is one out of many. The genetic classification of Arabic has therefore been the object of discussion going back to the nineteenth century or earlier, a key question centering on the interpretation of Arabic as a South Semitic language, closest to Ge’ez (inter alia) or being a Central Semitic language, closest to Northwest Semitic languages such as Aramaic and Hebrew. In this book the question of genetic affiliation is essentially sidestepped. It is suggested that Arabic is a composite language with clear South Semitic and clear NW Semitic affinities. This interpretation is underscored by recognizing a class of bifurcated features, features which divide not only Semitic languages, but also divide Arabic itself into contrasting parts.