* Defining "language" is tricky: What constitutes a distinct language versus a dialect is often debated. Is Cajun French a separate language from standard French? Are the different varieties of Chinese distinct languages or dialects?
* Languages are constantly changing: New languages emerge through creolization and language evolution. Some languages become extinct. This fluidity makes a definitive count impossible.
* Difficult to reach remote areas: Many languages are spoken by small communities in remote areas. It's challenging to find and document all of these languages.
Estimates:
* UNESCO: Estimates around 7,100 languages globally.
* Ethnologue: Lists about 7,151 languages, but notes that this number is "an approximation."
Key takeaway: While there's no precise answer, it's safe to say there are thousands of languages spoken worldwide, with many more still waiting to be discovered and documented.