By María Alina Gandini Viglino and Virginia Rubiolo
(CTPCBA)
Colegio de Traductores Públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (CTPCBA) hosted the First Latin American Legal Translation Conference on 24 and 25 April 2026, at Hotel Libertador in the City of Buenos Aires. The event brought together a large group of translation and interpreting professionals and students from across the country and the region, both in person and virtually.
At the opening session, Guillaume Deneufbourg, President of FIT, highlighted the international significance of the event, with his presence underscoring the recognition of the global translation community. CTPCBA President Damián Santilli welcomed attendees and noted that this was a long overdue conference for the profession and a service the Colegio owed to society. Andy Benzo, the first Argentine President of the American Translators Association (ATA), also attended the opening session.
The wide-ranging and exceptionally high-quality programme featured workshops, plenary sessions and panel discussions on current issues. Key topics included professional training, terminology, interpreting, artificial intelligence, clear language, challenges in idiomatic equivalence, legal discourse analysis and court translation, offering excellent opportunities for professional development and specialisation.
The guests of honour added immense value to the event. Speakers from Argentina included Guillermo Cabanellas, Ricardo Chiesa, Silvana Debonis, Graciela del Pilar Isaía y Ruiz and Mariano Vitetta, alongside international guests Andy Benzo, Rebeca Jowers and Fernando Prieto Ramos. Their plenary presentations set a benchmark of prestige and excellence that defined the entire conference.
During the event, the Colegio launched Pharos, the new CTPCBA academic journal. After months of hard work, this fulfilled a long-held dream: giving professionals a dedicated space where daily practice and academic research meet.
The most moving moment came during the closing ceremony with the presentation of the Award for Excellence in Legal Translation to Ricardo Chiesa. A sustained standing ovation honoured his career, academic rigour and invaluable contributions. It was an emotional finale that brought tears to many eyes and will long be remembered by everyone privileged enough to witness it.
This First Latin American Legal Translation Conference has set a new standard for the profession – leaving the Colegio deeply proud to have organised such a milestone event. It firmly establishes the CTPCBA as a leading voice in a fast-evolving world where continuous professional development is vital.
