speak in tongues
Verb phrase: - To utter speech-like sounds that are not part of a known, structured language, especially as an expression of religious ecstasy or divine inspiration, often considered a spiritual gift. - (By extension) To talk rapidly and excitedly using words or sounds that are difficult for others to understand.
- Religious context:
- During the intense prayer service, several members began to speak in tongues.
- The practice of speaking in tongues is mentioned in the New Testament.
- Figurative/secular context:
- The technical expert was speaking in tongues, using so much jargon that none of the managers could follow.
- The feverish child muttered and spoke in tongues in her sleep.
- "Speaking in tongues" is often used as a noun phrase to describe the phenomenon itself.
- The doctrine of speaking in tongues is interpreted differently across denominations.
- The act is sometimes described as "the gift of tongues".
- Glossolalia (n): The formal, often academic term for the phenomenon of speaking in tongues.
- The anthropologist wrote a paper on glossolalia in various religious movements.
- Utter glossolalia (formal)
- Babble (secular, often derogatory)
- Gibber (secular, implying nonsense)
This phrase has two primary meanings: 1. Theological/Charismatic Meaning: A spontaneous, fluent vocalization believed by the speaker (and their religious community) to be a language given by the Holy Spirit, either unknown on earth ("heavenly language") or an unlearned human language ("xenoglossy"). It is often associated with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian traditions. 2. Figurative/Colloquial Meaning: To talk in a way that is incomprehensible to the listener, due to extreme emotion, technical complexity, or nonsense. This usage does not carry a religious connotation.
- speak unintelligibly in or as if in religious ecstasy
- The parishioners spoke in tongues