What happens when lanuage access fails - and who pays the price?
In this episode of Connected Conversations, host Elena Petrova speaks with Silvia Xalabarde, President of Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) and Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), about leadership born from adversity, language rights, and the power of human connection.
Silvia shares how a difficult certification experience pushed her into advocacy, reform, and community building — reshaping not only her own career, but systems that affect thousands of professionals and newcomers.
🟢 Key Themes:
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Turning personal adversity into institutional change
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Reforming certification exams for fairness, transparency, and dignity
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Why language access is a human right — not a luxury
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The risks of relying on AI in emergency and mental health situations
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A tragic Vancouver case that underscores the cost of missing interpreters
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Building immigrant-centered services beyond translation
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Why community, connection, and belonging drive real success
🎧 Watch the full episode and join the conversation about trust, leadership, and community transformation.
About Silvia Xalabarde:
Silvia Xalabarde is a translator, interpreter, and professional leader working at the intersection of language, community, and meaning. She is the President of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC), Canada’s national certification body, and President of the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC). She is also the founder of Pluma Translations and Community, a Vancouver-based language and newcomer services company that supports people in navigating new systems, new languages, and new lives.
At heart, Silvia is a reader, a writer, and a thinker who believes in the magic of making things happen. She is trained as a counsellor and is deeply interested in how language shapes identity, belonging, and the stories people tell about themselves. Known for her curiosity, imagination, and ability to turn ideas into action, she brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective to conversations about work, creativity, and the human relationships that give meaning to our lives.
You can watch/listen to this episode here:
🟢 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/SfudM
⚫ Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/Wmj8x
🔵 Amazon Music: https://shorturl.at/bE7iC
