A proudly women-owned, small business
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rare was founded in 2023 after 10+ years spent working with rural Guatemalan communities and over 35,000 hours of interpretation experience led us to say “You know what? There's a better way to do this.”
- 70+
- Interpreters
- 15
- Indegenous Languages
- 35K hrs
- Interpreteration Experience
About the team
We are a team of professionals with a wide range of experience in the language services industry. Our team is made up of interpreters, translators, and language experts who are dedicated to providing the highest quality service to our clients.
- In-region experience owning and operating businesses in Guatemala for over 10 years
- Over 14 years experience working closely with rural Guatemalan communities
- Members of Executive Leadership Team fluent in Q'eqchi'
Ashley Howard
Co-Founder / CEO
Ashley leads Rare Language Services as its CEO and co-founder. The inception of Rare was a direct outcome of the meaningful connections Ashley nurtured during her travels across Central America over the last 15 years.
Brittany Larsen
Co-Founder / CRO
Brittany is the Chief Revenue Officer and co-founder for Rare. Brittany has a strong entrepreneurial background that has allowed her to build several strong businesses from the ground up. Brittany wanted to create a better way to serve Central American communities.
Abby Pancoast
Co-Founder / CMO
Abigail Pancoast, MBA, is CMO and co-founder for Rare Language Services. After starting her career in Hospitality, Abby believed that customer-centricity is the best ingredient for a successful brand.
Tayler Larsen
Head of Operations | Senior Linguist
Tayler is an operations expert who is also fluent in Q’eqchi’ and Spanish. He met Aaron while living in Guatemala. Tayler has extensive experience creating learning curriculums for worldwide nonprofits, and helps us ensure quality and cultural sensitivity
Aaron Howard
QA Lead | Senior Linguist
Aaron was previously COO at a Mayan interpretation start-up, where he led his team to complete over 35K hours of interpretation. During his time in Guatemala, Aaron learned to speak Q’eqchi’, as well as Spanish. He has a deep love of the people, culture, and languages in Central America.
Why Choose Rare?
- Language Enthusiasts
- We are passionate about rare languages and understand their historical significance. Our linguists are fluent in these languages and embrace the nuances, syntax, and cultural context of each one.
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Beyond just words, we respect the cultural subtleties and historical richness embedded in these languages. Our interpretations are not mere translations, but a celebration of indigenous cultures.
- Diverse Services
- Whether you require medical support, legal document translation, or modern communication in these rare languages, we offer a wide range of services tailored to your unique needs.
- Cutting-Edge Technology
- We leverage state-of-the-art language technology to enhance efficiency, ensuring our interpretations are both precise and prompt.
- Preserving Heritage
- We are committed to preserving and sharing the rich linguistic heritage of Central America, offering a glimpse into the profound wisdom of these languages.
Our Mission
Our mission at Rare is to be the gateway through which these languages are unlocked and brought to the world. By providing our rare language interpretation services, we aim to bridge the past and the present, connecting ancient cultures with contemporary society.
Rare is more than an interpretation service; we are your partners in preserving the legacy of these remarkable languages. Join us in this linguistic exploration and experience the wonder of Central America's rare linguistic treasures.
Do you need dedicated or in-person interpretation?
Book your Mayan Interpreter today.
Please contact us for our language-specific rates.