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 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:15 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.



Beth, you were correct about the "miraculousness" of speaking in a language you haven't learned to someone who understands it. That does go on, even today (albeit by testimony since I wasn't present to witness it). But the other part you refer to as babblings, is where Paul says some unknown tongues done in prayer are speaking directly to God and his understanding is unfruitful. So, I guess if someone (besides God) is listening in, it will sound like babblings.