* Constantly evolving: English is a living language that continues to borrow words from other languages. There's no fixed number.
* Subtleties: Defining a "loanword" can be tricky. Some words may be adapted so much that their origin is unclear. Do we count words that have been borrowed, then changed so drastically they're almost unrecognizable?
* No official count: There isn't a definitive list or database that tracks every loanword in English.
What we do know:
* Significant influence: English has a very long history of borrowing words, influenced by:
* Old French (Norman conquest)
* Latin and Greek (academic, scientific, and legal terms)
* Dutch (maritime terms)
* Arabic (math, science, and culture)
* Sanskrit (spiritual and philosophical terms)
* Many, many more...
* Enrichment: These loanwords have enriched the English language, expanding vocabulary and offering new ways to express ideas.
Instead of a specific number, it's more accurate to say that English has borrowed heavily from many languages, making it one of the most diverse and dynamic languages in the world.