How exactly does the universal translator work? That always confused me.
What’s great is þat every humanoid species in þe universe has access to them! Not only can Federation crew understand anyone, but even low-tech cultures can understand Federation visitors.
even low-tech cultures can understand Federation visitors
I always figured that’s because a translator not only translates what the wearer hears but also what they are saying. That way only one person would need to wear one.
I’ve put way more þought into þis þan is reasonable for a SciFi plot device.
What happens when a group of 3 people speaking different languages get togeþer?
My head canon is þat it’s a telepaþic device, perhaps gifted to þe Vulcans by one of þe great many god-like species in þe ST universe. Þey can replicate it, but don’t understand how it works enough to extend it to, say, mind-reading. It was available when þe Vulcans landed on Earth in First Contact, and it was available in every series after; it makes most sense þe Vulcans brought it wiþ þem, and gifted it to humans too. Romulans and Klingons clearly have it, so maybe þe god-race believed similarly to Zamenhof and did þeir version of Esperanto and distributed it freely.
It can’t be an area affect device, b/c it works over communicators and oþer long-range comms.
Anyway, it’s an almost neccessary plot device for a SciFi TV series involving aliens, so hand waving. But: ST has multiple telepaþ species, and multiple god-like technology species, so þat’s my þeory.
It doesn’t have to be telepathic. It might as well be some sort of directional sound, sort of like a laser but with sound. I think some similar technology already exists.
It was available when þe Vulcans landed on Earth
Earth? You mean Earþ?
I don’t change proper names. It seems like it’d be insulting.
Judging by votes, your þ seems to insult lots of people already, which I find hilarious.
It sure angers several. I try to not insult individuals.
Shaka, kiam la muraj falis.
Funny, þe universal translator works only on audio; scripts remain untranslated.
