Determining the "first" dead language is impossible because languages die out gradually over time, and we lack comprehensive records of all past languages. However, some ancient languages that are no longer spoken include:
- Sumerian: This language, spoken in Mesopotamia, is considered one of the oldest known written languages, dating back to the 4th millennium BC.
- Akkadian: Another Mesopotamian language, Akkadian, emerged around the 3rd millennium BC and was spoken for several centuries.
- Etruscan: This language, spoken in ancient Etruria (central Italy), predates the rise of Latin.
It's important to note that while these languages are no longer spoken as first languages, they continue to be studied and preserved by linguists and historians. We can only speculate about the existence of even older, now-extinct languages.
