* Defining "dead language" is tricky: There's no universally agreed upon definition. Some consider a language dead when it has no native speakers, while others might consider it dead if it's only used in specific contexts (like religious ceremonies) or if its grammar and vocabulary have significantly changed.
* Many languages have unclear statuses: Some languages are spoken by very few people and might be on the verge of extinction, making it hard to classify them as dead or alive.
* New discoveries are made: Archaeologists and linguists are constantly discovering ancient languages and scripts, adding to the list of potential "dead languages."
Instead of a specific number, it's more accurate to say there are likely thousands of dead languages worldwide.
Here are some factors that contribute to language death:
* Language shift: When speakers of a language abandon it in favor of another, usually for economic or social reasons.
* Political suppression: Governments may try to eliminate languages considered a threat to national unity.
* Natural disasters: Disasters can wipe out entire populations, taking their languages with them.
* Globalization: The spread of dominant languages like English can lead to the marginalization and eventual death of smaller languages.