devil's advocate: the case for glossolalia

[Markus]

I don't want to institute a theological debate,  but I think it is clear that nonsensical glossolalia is a New Testament phenomenon.  1 Corinthians 14 is all about speaking in tongues; the expression used is λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, literally to speak in tongues or languages.  The word glossolalia is just an abstract noun formed of these two words. The whole chapter makes clear that this kind of speech is incomprehensible to others without an interpreter.  (Interestingly, although the Greek just says speaking in tongues the King James Version consistently translates as speaking in *unknown* tongues.) St Paul is ok with speaking in tongues (and says he does it himself) but thinks prophesying is even better because everyone understands it. 

The multilingual event of Pentecost (Acts 2) where the disciples are understood by everyone irrespective of their native tongue is apparently a different and unique phenomenon.