The Latin phrase translates to "They were speaking in various tongues" or "They spoke in different languages" .
"Loquebantur variis linguis Apostoli magnalia Dei." loquebantur variis linguis translation
The phrase became a cornerstone of medieval and Renaissance art, music, and liturgy. In Pentecost liturgies (e.g., the Gregorian chant Veni Sancte Spiritus ), the theme of diverse tongues recurs. The Sequenza for Pentecost Sunday often echoes loquebantur variis linguis in its antiphons: “Factus est repente de caelo sonus, tamquam spiritus vehementis flans, et replevit totam domum ubi erant sedentes: et coeperunt loqui variis linguis” (Suddenly there came from heaven a sound, like a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting: and they began to speak in various tongues). The Latin phrase translates to "They were speaking
