* Defining "Southeast Asia" can vary. Some include parts of China, others don't.
* What counts as a "language" is debated. Dialects are often considered languages, and there are many variations within larger language groups.
* Language boundaries are fluid. Languages evolve and shift over time.
However, we can give you an idea of the linguistic diversity:
* Rough estimates: Linguists suggest there are likely hundreds of distinct languages spoken in Southeast Asia, with some estimates ranging from 200 to 700+.
* Language families: The region is home to diverse language families, including:
* Austroasiatic: Vietnamese, Khmer, Mon
* Austronesian: Malay, Indonesian, Tagalog
* Sino-Tibetan: Chinese (some Southeast Asian varieties)
* Tai-Kadai: Thai, Lao
* Papuan: In the easternmost parts of Indonesia
* Smaller language families: There are also many smaller language families and isolates.
To get a better understanding of specific languages in a region, you can consult resources like:
* Ethnologue: A comprehensive database of languages worldwide
* Wikipedia: Information on language groups in specific countries
It's important to remember that Southeast Asia is a region of incredible linguistic diversity, and the exact number of languages is constantly evolving.