* Defining "endangered" is complex: There are various scales and criteria for classifying a language as endangered, ranging from "nearly extinct" to "definitely endangered".
* Data collection is challenging: Many languages, particularly those spoken by small communities, are not well documented. There are often gaps in our knowledge about their status and speaker numbers.
* Languages can change: Language endangerment is a dynamic process. Languages can shift from being endangered to revitalized, or vice versa.
However, some estimates suggest that:
* Around 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide.
* Between 50% and 90% of those languages are considered endangered.
This means that potentially thousands of languages are at risk of disappearing.
Organizations like UNESCO and Ethnologue are working to document and preserve endangered languages. Their efforts are crucial in ensuring these languages and the cultures they represent are not lost.