The gift of speaking in tongues can mean any number of things, and I think to contemplate its relevance, we should clarify what we’re trying to understand and its purpose in our spirituality.
The classic definition of speaking in tongues is called glossolalia. It’s where the speaker utters a fluid vocalization of words or speech-like sounds that likely are not understood by the majority of those who hear it. A nuanced subset of this is called xenolalia, where the sounds are believed to be a language previously unknown to the speaker.
In either case, these experiences have been witnessed and experienced for millennia, with the phrase “speaking in tongues” emerging as early translations of the Bible started in the Middle Ages. More modern times have gifted us with the opportunity to record such events, and thus linguists have been able to study both glossolalia and xenolalia. In most cases, they note the patterns of intonation and inflection of the utterances to be quite similar to the speakers’ native language.
It is perhaps in this modern era, where study has advanced, that we can appreciate the gift as it is presented in the Scriptures: through the gift of interpretation. If we understand the Greek for tongues translates as “language,” we can consider the benefit of multilingualism, especially in the days before Google Translate.
On the Day of Pentecost, we hear of the Holy Spirit arriving and speaking in at least 15 unique languages. In doing so, the Spirit does not speak these languages to confuse hearers, but to make accessible and understandable the message of grace.
While the apostles “were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages” (Acts 2.4), we hear that this enabled all those gathered in the crowd to understand, with clarity, the message of the Spirit: “because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each” (Acts 2.6).
When Paul identifies glossolalia as a Spiritual Gift (in 1 Corinthians 12-14), his emphasis is on interpretation. Paul elucidates that speaking in tongues in public worship without interpretation is unfruitful for strengthening the church, as others cannot understand or be edified. “If there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God” (1 Cor 14.28).
Thus, our modern society is blessed with many opportunities for increasing our understanding and sharing of how God is speaking to us. We can access the translation of written or recorded words; we can receive an interpretation of countless languages.
Our historical foundation in the Articles of Religion identify the importance of “speaking in the congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth”; Article 24 states: “It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God and the custom of the Primitive Church to have public Prayer in the Church or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understanded of the people.”
What a blessing for us to have so many languages available to us for worship then; to read Scripture in English, or French, or Polish, or Spanish (a few of the translations of the Bible on my bookcase); or to sing hymns from Common Praise in Cree or Naskapi or Inuktitut or Nisga’a or even Latin.
God is speaking, in many tongues and many ways. Thus, it becomes incredibly relevant to celebrate the diversity in which God’s word is communicated. May we continue to be receptive to hearing the word of God as God speaks to us all.
