Tongues in the Bible were real languages. Let’s not pretend the early church was a kindergarten for charismatic syllable soup. The book of Acts is not a catalog of celestial gibberish. When Luke records that the apostles spoke in “other tongues” (Acts 2:4), he doesn’t leave us scratching our heads about what that means. Just two verses later, the crowd is astonished—not because they’re hearing incoherent baby babble—but because, “each one was hearing them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6). Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia—this is not your average nonsense chorus. This is international, intelligible, God-ordained multilingual evangelism.

The tongues in Scripture had syntax, vocabulary, and grammar—not just vowel-consonant spasms. Paul tells the Corinthians that if no one can interpret, the speaker should keep quiet (1 Cor. 14:28). That only makes sense if there’s something to interpret. You don’t interpret gibberish—you just call it what it is: noise. Paul even draws a line between speaking in tongues and being mad (1 Cor. 14:23). That implies a contrast: tongues are real, ordered languages; madness is chaotic clamor.

So, to sum it up: biblical tongues were real, translatable, human languages used to proclaim the mighty works of God—not spiritual teething toys. Let’s not downgrade Pentecost into a charismatic puppet show. The Spirit doesn’t trade in nonsense. He speaks truth—and in every tongue under heaven.

This was embarrassing and made further so by women calling themselves "pastors"

You’re not too conservative. You’re biblical.

Personally, You should be - Scripture requires an interpreter unless you are praying by yourself : 1 Cor. 14 : 1-6

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1co/14/1/s_1076001

Check this guy out. He’s been very accurate. https://www.youtube.com/live/tn5Qj0ChagE?si=igtrI53sE3dKWn7n