Glossolalia: Speaking in unknown languages

Click to join the conversation with over 500,000 Pentecostal believers and scholars

Speaking in tongues, known as glossolalia, is a central practice in Pentecostal and charismatic worship, especially in Appalachian contexts. It involves uttering speech-like sounds that often resemble language but do not necessarily make sense or form coherent words. Believers consider glossolalia to be a spiritual gift, evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence, and an essential part of receiving the Holy Ghost.​

Nature of Glossolalia

Linguists, including William J. Samarin, have studied glossolalia extensively, noting that it mimics certain features of natural language, such as rhythm, intonation, and syllabic organization, yet it lacks systematic meaning or semantic structure. Some speakers produce sounds or syllables that can resemble the phonetics of known languages, but these are usually spontaneous and not communicative in the traditional sense. The phenomenon can involve both “meaningless” strings of syllables and apparent xenoglossia—speaking in actual, known languages previously unknown to the speaker.​

Theological Significance

In Pentecostal theology, speaking in tongues is seen as a divine language, often a “heavenly language” or the language of angels, through which believers communicate directly with God. It is regarded as both a sign of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and a means of personal edification and spiritual connection. Many believe that glossolalia is a supernatural gift that can be manifested as either known languages (xenolalia) or an unlearned spiritual language.​

Practice and Context

In Appalachian Pentecostal churches, glossolalia frequently occurs during prayer, worship, and altar services. It is often associated with other spiritual phenomena such as being “slain in the Spirit” or entering trance states. Many practitioners practice glossolalia as a learned behavior, with the belief that it is divinely inspired and necessary for full spiritual sanctification.​

Summary

Overall, speaking in tongues in Appalachian and broader Pentecostal practice is a dynamic, spiritually driven phenomenon that combines aspects of spontaneous speech, linguistic mimicry, and ritual expression. It plays a crucial role in defining the worship experience, reinforcing believers’ connection to divine power, and demonstrating the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The thesis “These Signs Shall Follow: Endangered Pentecostal Practices in Appalachia” by Melanie Rae Harsha documents and analyzes a set of Pentecostal and Holiness practices—some common, others regionally endangered—particularly in Appalachian communities.

Here is a complete list of the practices discussed throughout the final draft:

Core Pentecostal “Five Signs” from Mark 16

Harsha’s thesis centers on these five practices (often called signs following):

1. Casting out devils — exorcism or prayer to cast out evil spirits.

2. Speaking with new tongues — glossolalia, or speaking in unknown languages (central to receiving the Holy Ghost).

3. Taking up serpents — literal serpent handling (practiced by certain Appalachian Holiness churches).

4. Drinking deadly things — voluntary drinking of poison (most often strychnine).

5. Laying hands on the sick — faith healing and anointing with oil for recovery.