Glossolalia

Glossolalia, also called xenoglossia, is commonly known as "speaking in tongues". It involves vocalizing word-like segments that sound like a language foreign to the speaker while in a state of trance or spiritual excitement. This practice is widely used in Pentecostal and other charismatic religious entities. A controversial practice that is often referred to as "prayer language," it is debated as to whether or not these prayer languages are genuine, recognized, human languages, a sacred language, or just nonsense syllables.