What happens when language 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.

In this episode, we explore:

• Turning personal adversity into institutional change
• Reforming certification exams for fairness, transparency, and dignity
• Why language access is a human right — not a luxury
• The risks of relying on AI in emergency and mental health situations
• A tragic Vancouver case that underscores the cost of missing interpreters
• Building immigrant-centered services beyond translation
• Why community, connection, and belonging drive real success

🎧 Watch the full conversation and reflect on how language shapes lives, systems, and futures.