Language Access Failure: The Tragic Cost of Miscommunication A Conversation with Silvia Xalabarde (Episode 120)

Language Access Failure: The Tragic Cost of Miscommunication

Featuring Silvia Xalabarde, President of STIBCHosted by Robin Ayoub | Localization Fireside Chat – Episode 120

“What if a few words, spoken or understood, could literally save a life?”

That question set the tone for one of the most powerful and sobering conversations I’ve ever hosted on the Localization Fireside Chat.

In this episode, I sat down with Silvia Xalabarde, President of the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), to discuss what happens when language access fails — not in a theoretical sense, but in a very real, heartbreaking way.

A Story That Should Never Have Happened

The episode was inspired by the tragic case of Vanessa Renteria Valencia, a woman who lost her life during an interaction with law enforcement in British Columbia. The STIBC press release highlighted a painful truth: despite living in a multicultural, multilingual country, immediate access to professional interpreters was not prioritized.

Instead of deploying a Spanish-speaking officer or qualified interpreter, translation apps were reportedly used to bridge communication during a mental health crisis. The result was catastrophic — and perhaps preventable.

Silvia’s reflections were calm yet deeply moving. She emphasized that this was not about blaming individuals but confronting a systemic failure — a failure to see language access as a fundamental component of public safety, not an administrative afterthought.

A Bilingual Country with a Multilingual Reality

Canada often prides itself on being bilingual — English and French. Yet, as Silvia reminded us, the true linguistic identity of this country is far more complex. More than 125 languages are spoken in Canadian homes.

Still, the systems designed to serve Canadians — policing, healthcare, social services — are built around only two official languages. The gap between bilingual policy and multilingual reality is where many Canadians fall through the cracks.

Silvia and I discussed how, in moments of crisis, this gap becomes a matter of life and death. When someone cannot express themselves clearly — or when first responders cannot understand what is being said — the consequences can be devastating.

Technology Can Help, But Humanity Must Lead

We both acknowledged that technology has revolutionized communication. Machine translation and AI tools have opened doors that were once closed. But as Silvia pointed out, technology has limits — and those limits become painfully clear in critical moments.

“Technology can translate words,” she said, “but it can’t translate fear, urgency, or emotion.”

This simple truth defines the line between assistance and replacement. Machines can support, but they cannot feel. They cannot read tone, hesitation, or distress — all things that a trained interpreter recognizes instantly.

The human element in interpretation is irreplaceable. It’s what makes communication not just possible, but humane.

Interpreters: The First Responders of Communication

Silvia described interpreters as “first responders of communication.” Their role extends far beyond linguistic accuracy — it includes empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to foster trust between parties who might otherwise remain divided by misunderstanding.

Yet, interpreters often go unseen and undervalued. They are frequently treated as optional rather than essential.

This conversation was a call to reframe that perception. Interpreters are not a luxury or a cost center. They are an essential safeguard that ensures understanding and humanity in moments where every word counts.

The Broader Movement for Language Equality

While Silvia Xalabarde leads STIBC’s advocacy in British Columbia, the mission resonates nationally. Organizations like the Canadian Language Industry Association (CLIA) continue to champion equal language access and raise awareness about the importance of professional interpretation and translation across Canada.

CLIA has long supported the belief that language access is a human right — a cornerstone of inclusion and public safety that must be protected at every level of society.

Together, these voices form a growing movement calling for recognition, accountability, and reform.

Language Access Is a Human Right

Silvia’s core message was clear: language access is not a convenience — it’s a human right.

When we treat communication as transactional, we lose sight of its purpose. Understanding isn’t a bonus — it’s the bridge that connects communities, cultures, and lives.

And when that bridge fails, the cost isn’t measured in words. It’s measured in people.

Watch the Episode

🎥 Episode 120: “Language Access Failure – The Tragic Cost of Miscommunication”Watch on YouTube

📄 Read the STIBC Statement:STIBC Press Release on Immediate Access to Interpreters in Crisis Situations

Final Reflection

Canada’s bilingual identity is something to be proud of. But real inclusion means acknowledging that communication extends beyond English and French.

Our diversity is our strength — but only if everyone has the right to be understood.

In the end, the heart of this episode isn’t about policy or technology. It’s about people, empathy, and the human cost of not listening.

Because sometimes, understanding is the difference between tragedy and hope.

Disclaimer: The opinions shared in this episode reflect the views of the participants and are intended for educational and awareness purposes only.