* Defining a "language" is complex: There's no single, universally agreed-upon definition. Some consider dialects as separate languages, while others don't.
* Data collection is challenging: Accurately counting languages in a country with many indigenous groups and diverse dialects is difficult.
* Language vitality varies: Some languages are spoken by millions, while others have only a few speakers.
However, Papua New Guinea is often cited as the country with the highest number of languages, with estimates ranging from 800 to 1,200. This diversity is due to the country's isolated geography and its long history of cultural and linguistic isolation.
Other countries with a high number of languages include:
* India: With around 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects.
* Indonesia: Known for its hundreds of languages and dialects.
* Nigeria: Home to over 500 languages.
* China: Boasting hundreds of languages and dialects, although some are considered more like variations of Mandarin.
Remember that these numbers are just estimates, and the true number of languages in any given country is likely much higher if you consider dialects and variations.