| |
You are here: Experts > Movies > Star Trek Fans > Star Trek: The Next Generation > How do they speak klingon with universal translator
Expert: Matt Peterson - 10/20/2009
Question
well I'm wondering if they ever explained the fact that you can say Klingon words when the universal translator is on? right? so how do you explain that?. i mean if the UT is suppose to translate ever language into English then if a Klingon would say patak or kapla. or even when they sing then it should be in English, should it not?.
Answer
Great question!
I think that the "tech guys" on the show would probably say that the universal translator is capable of determining the context of what is being said and making a decision about whether or not it should be translated.
The *real* answer is that the drama of a given scene trumps the technical accuracy of that scene. :) So if the writer or director wants something to be in an alien language (e.g. Klingon), he or she gets what they want.
Really, this is probably for the best...Star Trek (at its best, anyway) has always primarily been about the characters and story, not the technology. If the show was slavishly accurate about every technical detail, it wouldn't really be Star Trek.
Hope this helps!
View Follow-Ups
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
