The researchers estimated that the number topped out in a range from 30,000 to potentially more than 75,000 different languages used worldwide ⁠at any one time. "The situation where ‌populations are increasing and using agriculture creates more sedentary communities and is ideal for the fostering of ​many, many small languages," Bowern said. Just a few examples ​include the Sumerian, Hittite, Akkadian and Etruscan languages, various languages used in ancient Egypt ​and ancient China, and some African click languages. "The people who speak that language are killed or the people who ‌speak that language shift — or are forced to shift — to another language," ​Bowern said. About half of languages used today are deemed endangered.