Editing Universal Translator (section)

==Background Information==

The universal translator is one of many Star Trek technologies that exist primarily as conventions to aid storytelling. The workings of the UT enables the vast majority of dialog between characters to be written (and delivered) in English, to the convenience of viewers and writers alike. Writers do not have to devise a new language for each new alien of the week that speaks on-screen, and viewers do not have to watch for subtitles. 

Another storytelling conceit is that the device makes non-English speakers appear as if they're speaking English. That is, lip movements match English language pronunciation. This "convention" is particularly obvious in episodes, like ENT: "Civilization", "Acquisition", "Precious Cargo" and DS9: "Little Green Men", in which the universal translator is off-line for periods of time. Were the device real, it would more likely have an effect similar to watching a movie dubbed into another language. 

The draft proposal '''''Star Trek is...''''' mentions this concept: 

We establish a "telecommunicator" device early in the series, little more complicated than a small transistor radio carried in a pocket. A simple "two-way scrambler", it appears to be converting all spoken language into English. (Roddenberry 11) 


[[Category: Engineering]]