[1][2][3] The grouping[4] supported by Semiticists like Robert Hetzron and John Huehnergard divides the Semitic language family into two branches: Eastern and Western.
[5] The West Semitic languages consist of the clearly defined sub-groups: Modern South Arabian, Old South Arabian, Ethiopic, Arabic (including Maltese), and Northwest Semitic (this including Hebrew, Aramaic, and the extinct Amorite and Ugaritic languages).
[citation needed] In older classifications, it is grouped with the South Semitic languages.
[5] Some Semiticists continue to argue for the older classification, based on the distinctive feature of broken plurals.
Some linguists also argue that Eteocypriot was a Northwest Semitic language spoken in ancient Cyprus.