How then, if it is not a "language" do you explain the countless number of times/testimonies where people have spoken in "unknown" tongues to someone who was of a different language, only to have the second person marvel about how the tongue talker knew their language and was able to tell VERY PRIVATE information about them? Example: An American woman goes on a mission trip to Africa not knowing the language. She spends time with some of the people. One night at a bible study the american begins to speak in tongues. The Africans she had spent time with marveled and asked the pastor "How is it she suddenly can speak our native language at bible study, but after cannot?"
There are numerous stories such as these – all of them unfortunately anecdotal. There’s very little follow-up with respect to details; usually there are just generalizations. The fact that these examples are all anecdotal and not actually documented with details and seem to occur exclusively in the Pentecostal/Charismatic communities where tongues-speaking is common, makes them somewhat suspect. In addition, it always seems to be more “obscure” languages that are told of in these accounts; never something common like French or German. Often times, said accounts are given more credulity in that what was revealed to the subject were things only the subject could know.
In the more classic examples of these types of anecdotes, the languages always seem to be Hebrew or Aramaic. And of course, there always seems to be this one Jewish guy in the audience…….The Hebrew/Aramaic story has evolved to a point where it’s become, for all intents and purposes, an urban legend.
As one writer put it, very tongue in cheek: “Some say it happened a while ago to a friend's third cousin twice removed on his mother's side, and a visitor from West Bubbatania happened to be visiting and recognized the language. This visitor, of course, went back home and there's no way to verify that the anecdote actually took place; nor is there a way to ascertain any pertinent details.”
Unfortunately, I have to somewhat agree. There’s just no way to actually verify any of these stories; it essentially amounts to hearsay.
It should also be noted that in many of these examples, what was said are common praise phrases in the target language. Something anyone would tend to subconsciously pick up after hearing people repeat the same phrase numerous times week after week at church or prayer meetings, etc.
As a complete aside, I just have to say, a missionary going to a foreign country and not bothering to learn at least basic conversation in the language of the country s/he will be living in for the next X-months, is rather discourteous and rude to the people and culture in whose land s/he is a guest.