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Collegium antropologicum, Vol. 29 No. 1, 2005.

Review article

Glossolalia

Elvira Koić
Pavo Filaković
Sanea Nađ
Ivan Ćelić

Full text: english pdf 114 Kb

page 373-379

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Abstract

In this article the authors present through theory and case reports on the phenomenon of glossolalia, the unusual vocal utterances that sound language-like. Sense, meaning and function of glossolalia are closely connected with social and cultural context, and therefore glossolalia is experienced as a normal and expected behavior in religious prayer
groups, while in mental disorders it is considered a psychopathological symptom. Historic theological debates explain the pure spiritual etiology of glossolalia, while the current studies present the phenomenon of glossolalia as a result of learned behavior and training. Glossolalia occurs as an individual or a group phenomenon after which the speaker and the persons around him feel good, what is explained psychodynamically as a regression upon early developmental levels. In this temporary regression there is an explanation of positive, almost psychoterapeutic effect of glossolalia.

Keywords

glossolalia; xenolalia; cataphasia; »speaking in tongues«; borderline personality

Hrčak ID:

5205

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/5205

Publication date:

15.6.2005.

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