* It's no longer spoken as a native language. While there were once people who spoke Latin as their first language, that stopped happening around the 6th century AD.
* It's not the primary language of any modern nation. While some countries, like Vatican City, use Latin in official ceremonies and documents, it's not a primary language for daily communication.
However, Latin continues to have a significant presence:
* It's the basis of many modern languages. Romance languages like Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian all descended from Latin.
* It's used in academia and the sciences. Latin is still used in scientific names for plants and animals, as well as in legal and medical terminology.
* It's studied in schools and universities. Many people learn Latin for its historical and cultural importance, as well as to understand the roots of many modern languages.
In summary: While no one speaks Latin as their native tongue anymore, its influence on modern languages, its use in various fields, and its ongoing study means it's far from truly dead. It's more accurate to say it's a classical language with a rich history and continued relevance.