lenguas

Lenguas is the plural of lengua and, in everyday usage, refers to human languages—the systems of communication used by communities, including spoken and signed forms. A language is a structured system of sounds, words, and rules that enables complex expression and transmission of culture, history, and knowledge. Languages are learned from one generation to the next and can change through processes such as borrowing, sound shifts, and shifts in syntax or vocabulary. They also reflect social identities, regional varieties, and cultural practices.

There is substantial linguistic diversity worldwide. Estimates commonly place around seven thousand languages in use today, though speaker populations range from millions to just a handful. Most languages belong to language families, groups of languages that share a common ancestor; examples include Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Afroasiatic, and Austronesian. Language contact—through trade, migration, and colonization—produces phenomena such as pidgins and creoles, loanwords, and bilingualism, shaping how languages evolve and interact. Sign languages are recognized as natural languages with their own grammar and lexicon, distinct from the spoken languages used in the surrounding community.

Endangerment is a major concern for many lenguas. A significant number have small speaker bases or are at risk of losing intergenerational transmission. Documentation, language description, and revitalization efforts aim to preserve linguistic diversity, including grammars, dictionaries, and community education programs. Writing systems and standardization vary widely, influencing literacy, access to information, and the vitality of languages in the digital age.