Here are some factors that make it difficult to establish such a list:
* Number of speakers: This is a common metric, but it's not the only factor. Many languages with large numbers of speakers are spoken in limited geographic regions.
* Global influence: Some languages, like English, have a significant global influence due to factors like international trade, media, and education.
* Historical significance: Languages like Latin and Sanskrit have had a profound impact on the development of other languages and cultures.
* Cultural importance: Some languages are central to the identity and heritage of specific communities or nations, even if they don't have a large number of speakers.
Instead of ranking languages, it's more helpful to consider:
* The most spoken languages: Based on the number of speakers, the top languages are Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, etc.
* Languages with significant global influence: English, French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese are some examples.
* Languages that are endangered or in decline: Many languages face threats due to globalization and other factors.
Ultimately, the "primary languages" depend on the context and purpose of the discussion. There's no single "correct" answer.