* Defining a "language" is tricky: What constitutes a separate language versus a dialect is often debated. Linguists may classify closely related varieties as dialects, while others might consider them distinct languages.
* Language families and variation: Languages evolve and change over time. Dialects within a language family can diverge to the point of being mutually unintelligible, yet still be considered part of the same family.
* Undocumented languages: Many languages are spoken by small, isolated communities and may not have been formally documented or studied.
* Endangered languages: Sadly, many languages are dying out as speakers pass away or shift to dominant languages. This makes it challenging to document and count them before they disappear.
* Political and social factors: Language classification can be influenced by political agendas or social pressure.
Because of these complexities, estimates of the number of languages vary widely. Some estimates range from 6,000 to 7,000, while others go as high as 9,000 or more.
Ultimately, the "true" number of languages is a matter of definition and perspective. While we may not be able to give an exact count, the diversity and richness of languages across the globe is truly astounding.