Universal translator

From TFC Galactopedia

The Universal Translator is a device from the Federation Side of the Rift. It is capable of translating most spoken languages given sufficient time and samples. Some languages it picks up easily and some require additional time to fully translate. Occasionally a language completely stumps the device, as was the case with the Tamarians' metaphorical language. It is capable of translating ship to ship communications and person to person contacts. In the 24th century advances in technlogy allowed for the devices to be small enough to be integrated into the combadges everyone in Starfleet wears.

Certain words and phrases simply "do not translate". Usually these are the more colorful parts of a language. Klingonese in particular is notorious for this.

This article is a Stub. It either has not been edited to its entirety yet, or it exists only to provide a background reference point. The character or element described may be insufficiently developed in the main storyline. This character or element may be referenced briefly in Expanded Universe work, but is not considered to be relevant to the main storyline, irrespective of Canon status.