* Defining "word" is tricky: Languages have different ways of forming words, with some using prefixes, suffixes, and inflections more than others. This makes it hard to compare across languages.
* Counting is impractical: Even if we could agree on a definition of "word," counting all the words in a language would be an enormous task.
* Languages constantly evolve: New words are created and old ones disappear all the time, making any count temporary.
Instead of focusing on the fewest words, here are some interesting facts:
* Languages with relatively small vocabularies: Languages like Rotokas (spoken in Papua New Guinea) and Sesotho (spoken in Southern Africa) have been noted for their relatively small vocabularies. However, these languages are often rich in grammar and ways of expressing complex meanings.
* Vocabulary size is relative: Even languages with seemingly small vocabularies can have rich and complex ways of using their existing words to express a wide range of concepts.
Ultimately, the number of words in a language is less important than how those words are used to create meaning and express ideas.