Glossolalia and the Problem of Language

by Nicholas Harkness

Speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia, has long been a subject of curiosity as well as vigorous theological debate. A worldwide phenomenon that spans multiple Christian traditions, glossolalia is both celebrated as a supernatural gift and condemned as semiotic alchemy. For some it is mystical speech that exceeds what words can do, and for others it is mere gibberish, empty of meaning. At the heart of these differences is glossolalia’s puzzling relationship to language.​Glossolalia and the Problem of Language investigates speaking in tongues in South Korea, where it is practiced widely across denominations and congregations. Nicholas Harkness shows how the popularity of glossolalia in Korea lies at the intersection of numerous, often competing social forces, interwoven religious legacies, and spiritual desires that have been amplified by Christianity’s massive institutionalization. As evangelicalism continues to spread worldwide, Glossolalia and the Problem of Language analyzes one of its most enigmatic practices while marking a major advancement in our understanding of the power of language and its limits.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2024

Reviews

[Yisu Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

研究当代韩国基督教徒中的『咒符语』，一种含混的语言，既有矛盾的地方（作为语言是完全让人听不懂的）也有神圣之处（Open wide your mouth and I will fill it），凸显语言-宗教神圣连接的脆弱和模糊。