* Defining a "language" is tricky: There's no universally agreed-upon definition. Are dialects considered separate languages? What about creoles and pidgins?
* Constant change: Languages evolve and die out, new ones emerge, and languages can be reclassified.
* Data collection challenges: Accurate data about languages spoken in remote areas or by small communities is difficult to collect.
Estimates vary widely:
* UNESCO: Estimates around 7,100 languages spoken worldwide.
* Ethnologue: Lists over 7,151 languages, but this number includes many languages with few speakers or those considered "nearly extinct."
Key takeaway: It's more important to understand the diversity and complexity of languages than to focus on a specific number.