* Defining "Dead" is Difficult: There's no universally agreed upon definition of a dead language. Some languages might be considered "dead" if they're no longer spoken by native speakers but are still studied and used for religious or cultural purposes. Others might be considered "dead" if they have no known living speakers and are only documented through texts.
* Continuum of Language Change: Languages are constantly changing. What might be considered a "dead" language today could have been revived or evolved into a new language.
* Unrecorded Languages: Many languages, particularly those spoken by small groups, may have disappeared without leaving any written records. Their existence is only known through oral traditions, making it difficult to determine if they were ever "dead."
Instead of a specific number, here's what we can say:
* Thousands of Languages are Extinct: It's estimated that thousands of languages have gone extinct throughout history.
* The Rate of Extinction is High: The current rate of language extinction is alarmingly high, with many languages disappearing every year.
* Documentation is Crucial: Research and documentation of existing languages is vital to preserving cultural heritage and preventing further language loss.
If you're interested in learning more about language extinction, you can search for information about "endangered languages" or "language revitalization."