* Defining "language" is tricky: Do dialects count as separate languages? What about creoles and pidgins? How much difference in vocabulary and grammar constitutes a separate language?
* Constantly evolving: Languages are dynamic and change over time. New languages emerge, and some languages become extinct.
* Lack of comprehensive data: It's difficult to track and document all languages, especially in remote or less-studied areas.
Estimates range from:
* Around 7,000: This is a commonly cited number, but it's an approximation based on available data.
* Over 10,000: Some linguists believe the true number could be higher, especially if we consider all dialects and less-documented languages.
So, while we can't pinpoint an exact number, the world is a truly multilingual place with thousands of languages spoken across the globe.