* Lack of written records: Many ancient languages only existed orally, leaving no written evidence.
* Language evolution: Languages are constantly evolving, making it difficult to trace their origins accurately.
* The concept of "language": What constitutes a "language" is a matter of debate. Some linguists might consider dialects or subgroups as separate languages.
However, some languages are considered candidates for being among the oldest:
* Tamil: This Dravidian language spoken in South India has a rich written history dating back to the 3rd century BCE, and some linguists estimate its origins to be around 5,000 years ago.
* Sanskrit: This Indo-Aryan language, considered the "mother" of many Indian languages, has a written history dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE.
* Etruscan: This language, spoken in ancient Etruria (modern-day Tuscany, Italy), has a written history dating back to the 7th century BCE, but its origins are still unknown.
Ultimately, the answer to which language is the oldest remains a matter of speculation and ongoing research.