\usepackage{xesearch}
\newcounter{words}
\newenvironment{counted}{%
\setcounter{words}{0}
\SearchList!{wordcount}{\stepcounter{words}}
{a?,b?,c?,d?,e?,f?,g?,h?,i?,j?,k?,l?,m?,
n?,o?,p?,q?,r?,s?,t?,u?,v?,w?,x?,y?,z?}
\UndoBoundary{'}
\SearchOrder{p;}}{%
\StopSearching}