Speaking in tongues?

Question

It's been a long time since I've heard someone "speaking in tongues". I remember the "language" sounding somewhat similar from person to person. What I'm wondering is if you were to go to a church where people's native language was different, would the speaking in tongues language sound the same? For example, if you hear someone speak in tongues whose native language is Spanish, does it sound the same as someone who speaks English? (or whatever) Is anyone aware of a good, comprehensive study on this phenomenon?

Answer 1

There have been some scientific studies done, but not sure how widespread. If you google glossolalia studies, you will get many, many links on this religious phenomenon, here are a few:

http://www.slate.com/id/2153947/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/tongues5.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossolalia
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-7189(197306)41%3A2%3C289%3ASITACS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q

Answer 2

I know of no good, comprehensive study. Chances are, the ones you would find would "prove" tongues but would be a biased work from a pentecostal type.
The Bible shows us that the true gift of tongues was always in a known language. ALWAYS.
It was a sign for unbelievers.
When Peter spoke on Pentecost, people from many different countries(and tongues) were present, yet they all heard them in their own language. While Peter spoke in tongues, was it from Peter, or was it the people's ears that were effected?
The best explanations I have yet read are in the books listed below.

Answer 3

Nope, I don't know anyone who studies glossolalia. There's a mouthful of a word.

Some people sound alike and repetitious. Some don't. I think it has to do with each person. When I pray it doesn't always sound the same, but there are still somewhat repetitive sounds in it. Mostly, I just pay attention to God and not what I sound like, ya know?

Answer 4

Many years ago my Dad was in a service where there was a Mexican woman who did not know any English. She did understand worship and praise and was praising the Lord along with everyone else.

She began to speak in tongues saying "Glory to God, Hallelujah"

Acts 2:3-6
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Answer 5

Tongues are a language. Not the jibberish of what is practiced today. On the day of Penetecost, each one heard the message by Peter in THEIR OWN TONGUE or in otherwards....... language. An apostolic gift given before their was the complete Word of God to reach those in attendance on that day.

Answer 6

tongues is real, but i guess people say different things in tongues.

ALL people (Christians) who are against tongues are the exact same ones who cant do it, and most have no other gift of the spirit either.

bible says the diversities of tongues includes the heavenly language too.

Answer 7

I attended an Assembly of God church for around a year. I heard a lot of gibberish and they were similar but different.

The pastor's was baabaabaabaa ababaabababaaabababaa.

My friends was dadadedededede dadada dededeadadad.

The point is 'tongues' is fake. It is nothing but complete gibberish.

I never knew of an ancient language that was dadadadedede, unless it was an ancient language of toddlers.

Answer 8

it's sounds very similar to their native language.

Answer 9

Speaking in Tounges is a holy language that only God, angels and peopel who have the gift of interpretation can understand.

Answer 10

the studies I've read show that the "language" has no connection person to person...much less language to language...

giving further evidence to it's lack of credibility as a language...