Editing Arabic (section)

== Classification ==
{{Further|Classification of Arabic languages}}
Arabic is usually classified as a [[Central Semitic languages|Central Semitic language]]. Linguists still differ as to the best classification of Semitic language sub-groups.<ref name="Stefan Weninger 2011"/> The Semitic languages changed between [[Proto-Semitic language|Proto-Semitic]] and the emergence of Central Semitic languages, particularly in grammar. Innovations of the Central Semitic languages—all maintained in Arabic—include:
# The conversion of the suffix-conjugated stative formation (''jalas-'') into a past tense.
# The conversion of the prefix-conjugated [[preterite]]-tense formation (''yajlis-'') into a present tense.
# The elimination of other prefix-conjugated mood/aspect forms (e.g., a present tense formed by doubling the middle root, a [[Perfect (grammar)|perfect]] formed by [[infix]]ing a {{IPA|/t/}} after the first root consonant, probably a jussive formed by a stress shift) in favor of new moods formed by endings attached to the prefix-conjugation forms (e.g., ''-u'' for indicative, ''-a'' for subjunctive, no ending for jussive, ''-an'' or ''-anna'' for energetic).
# The development of an internal passive.
There are several features which Classical Arabic, the modern Arabic varieties, as well as the [[Safaitic]] and [[Hismaic (Old Arabic)|Hismaic]] inscriptions share which are unattested in any other Central Semitic language variety, including the [[Dadanitic]] and [[Taymanitic]] languages of the [[Hijaz|northern Hejaz]]. These features are evidence of common descent from a [[Proto-language|hypothetical ancestor]], [[Proto-Arabic]].{{sfn|Al-Jallad|2020a|p=8}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Huehnergard |first1=John |title=Arabic in Context: Celebrating 400 Years of Arabic at Leiden University |publisher=Brill |year=2017 |isbn=978-90-04-34304-7 |editor-last=Al-Jallad |editor-first=Ahmad |page=13 |chapter=Arabic in Its Semitic Context |doi=10.1163/9789004343047_002 |oclc=967854618}}</ref> The following features of Proto-Arabic can be reconstructed with confidence:<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6X29BwAAQBAJ|title=An Outline of the Grammar of the Safaitic Inscriptions|last=Al-Jallad|first=Ahmad|date=2015|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-28982-6|language=en|access-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723012810/https://books.google.com/books?id=6X29BwAAQBAJ|archive-date=23 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
# negative particles ''{{IPA|m}}'' * {{IPA|/mā/}}; ''{{IPA|lʾn}}'' *{{IPA|/lā-ʾan/}} to Classical Arabic {{IPA|lan}}
# {{IPA|mafʿūl}} G-passive participle
# [[Preposition and postposition|prepositions]] and adverbs ''{{IPA|f}}'', ''{{IPA|ʿn}}'', ''{{IPA|ʿnd}}'', ''{{IPA|ḥt}}'', ''{{IPA|ʿkdy}}''
# a subjunctive in -''{{IPA|a}}''
# ''{{IPA|t}}''-demonstratives
# leveling of the -''{{IPA|at}}'' [[allomorph]] of the feminine ending
# ''{{IPA|ʾn}}'' [[complementizer]] and subordinator
# the use of ''{{IPA|f}}''- to introduce modal clauses
# independent object pronoun in ''{{IPA|(ʾ)y}}''
# vestiges of ''[[nunation]]''
On the other hand, several Arabic varieties are closer to other Semitic languages and maintain features not found in Classical Arabic, indicating that these varieties cannot have developed from Classical Arabic.{{sfn|Birnstiel|2019|p=368}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Al-Jallad |first=Ahmad |year=2021 |title=Connecting the Lines between Old (Epigraphic) Arabic and the Modern Vernaculars |journal=Languages |language=en |volume=6 |issue=4 |page=1 |doi=10.3390/languages6040173 |issn=2226-471X |doi-access=free}}</ref> Thus, Arabic [[vernacular]]s do not descend from Classical Arabic:{{sfn|Versteegh|2014|p=172}} Classical Arabic is a sister language rather than their direct ancestor.{{sfn|Al-Jallad|2020a|p=8}}