* No official record-keeping: There isn't a central organization that tracks and verifies language fluency across the globe.
* Defining fluency: What constitutes fluency is subjective. Some people might consider conversational ability in a language sufficient, while others might require near-native proficiency.
* Limited accessibility: There are likely many individuals with impressive language skills who haven't been publicly documented.
However, we can mention some individuals known for their multilingualism:
* Ziad Fazah: This Lebanese polyglot claims to speak over 58 languages, though his claims are disputed by some.
* Kenneth Hale: A renowned linguist, Hale was fluent in 45 languages and had a working knowledge of many more.
* Emil Krebs: A German scholar, Krebs was said to speak 68 languages.
* Māori King Tāwhiao: This Māori leader is said to have spoken 14 languages.
While it's difficult to definitively say who holds the record, it's clear that humans have an incredible capacity for language learning.