In respect to speaking in "unknown and or other languages or tongues" Paul is not writing to the Corinthians in regards to some "gift" that is used in a private "prayer" setting, rather he was addressing the corporate use of "tongues" in a church/body setting.
To state as a poster previously said "Literally, I could start speaking in tongues right now" is to claim tongues was for personal use and not where it was intended to function, so that he or someone else might "say Amen"
(1 Cor 14:16-17 Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.)
For someone to speak in tongues alone privately is speaking to the air in much the same way if that tongue was spoken and the speaker could not also interpret.
(1 Cor 14:13 So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.)
(1 Cor 14:9 It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.)
IMHO the gifts were to establish the early church, we see Paul wanting to visit the Romans that he may impart some gift(s).
(Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you)
Paul said the spirituals would cease when the "perfect" comes.
(1 Cor 13:10 but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside.)
"Perfect" is better translated as mature or maturity as in establishing the early church.
Concordant Literal Version "10 Now whenever maturity may be coming, that which is out of an installment shall be discarded"
For Paul to be stating that the gifts would cease at the end of the Christian age would be somewhat redundant.
Sir, scripture itself tells the person speaking in tongues to keep silent in the church (if there is no interpreter) but to speak to himself and to God. That is a private matter involving tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:28 King James Version (KJV)
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and
let him speak to himself, and to God.
What of any of the verses I am about to share would make you think that tongues was not for private use (whatsoever)?
1 Corinthians 14:2-4 King James Version (KJV)
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.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
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He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
What about this?
1 Corinthians 14:14-17 King James Version (KJV)
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue,
my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when
thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at
thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For
thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Lets kind of put this together. Clearly tongues is edifying the... tongue speaker, right? These verses make it clear, that through speaking in tongues you can pray in tongues, and even sing in tongues. Activities that involve fellowship with God. Not only this, but scripture clearly says that the person speaking in tongues edifies himself, and that he "givest thanks well." All of this has to do with the benefit to the tongue speaker.
However, what is the whole chapter about? Edifying whom? The Body of Christ. This is why in a corporate setting it, the gift of tongues, is to be interpreted for the edification of all. However, do not let this distract you from the fact that tongues clearly have private benefits, that they do edify the tongue speaker (clearly revealed in scripture).
Knowing these private benefits, now read 1 Corinthians 14:28 again. Keep silent in the Church and let him speak to himself and to God. Why? "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men but unto God" and "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself."
I hope this has brought some clarification to the discussion.
.... we need to remember that,
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