I thought speaking in tongues just meant speaking another language....?
like Japanese, or Italian...but not dog or cat...lol
No, there are diverse tongues as in different manifestations of the gift.
On the day of penticost the gift was actually manifested in other people hearing their language being spoken supernaturally by others that did not even know their language.
Tongues - Speaking In Tongues
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Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Groanings - from G4726, which comes from G4726 (Strong's Greek Concordance)
to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly: KJV -- with grief, groan, grudge, sigh.
Inarticulate speech, or speech that is not in any known language to man
(In 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul speaks of talking in the the tongues of angels - a supernatural language)
1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:2 is speaking of our personal prayer language, which is something we do in our prayer closet and not in public.
Some have the gift of speaking a tongue in a public meeting for interpretation by another but should NOT be doing so if no interpreter is present.
1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
This is speaking of different kinds of tongues and that some have the gift of interpretation of tongues.
Not all have the gift of speaking in tongues for interpretation in a public setting like a church service... but that does not mean all don't have the gift of tongues for their private prayer life in their prayer closet between themselves and the Lord.
Isaiah 28:11,12
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
There is a rest and knowledge that comes thru speaking in tongues
(
the knowledge received has to agree with God's written Word, otherwise it's not the Holy Spirit speaking)