Some of the liberals from the Higher Criticism school have promoted a theory that speaking in tongues was of pagan origin, and that the oracle at Delphi and other pagan priests experienced 'glossolalia.' Sadly, certain conservatives who do not care for speaking in tongues have tried to read this idea into the Bible.
This website actually examines the accounts from Greek literature that deal with these pagan prophecies. These prophecies were a form of high oratory, either given as direct prose or else in poetry. The research showed a lack of evidence for the idea that these prophecies were some kind of incoherent babbling.
Here is the article.
Delphi Prophetesses and Christian Tongues - Charles A. Sullivan
This website actually examines the accounts from Greek literature that deal with these pagan prophecies. These prophecies were a form of high oratory, either given as direct prose or else in poetry. The research showed a lack of evidence for the idea that these prophecies were some kind of incoherent babbling.
Here is the article.
Delphi Prophetesses and Christian Tongues - Charles A. Sullivan