Here's why:
* Different criteria: "Major" could refer to:
* Number of speakers: This would likely include languages like Mandarin, English, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, etc.
* Geographic distribution: Languages spoken across large continents would qualify.
* Cultural influence: Languages with a strong impact on global arts, science, or technology could be considered major.
* Political importance: Languages used by major international organizations or in global trade could be considered.
* Contested boundaries: Even with a specific criterion, there's no clear-cut line between "major" and "minor" languages. Where do you draw the line on speaker count?
Instead of a single number, consider these factors:
* The top 10-20 languages by speaker count are often considered major.
* The UN uses 6 official languages, representing a significant portion of the world's population.
* Many regional languages hold great cultural importance within their communities, even if they lack global reach.
Ultimately, "major languages" is a relative concept, and its definition depends on the context.