How come the universal translators in Star Trek couldn't translate dog or cat?

[amdhunter]

I was watching Enterprise and they could translate Insectiod language easily enough and that ship travelled years before TNG or DS9.

How is it they weren't tweaked to the point where basic communication between animals wasn't established?

 

[phucheneh]

Seriously?

Because...animals don't have a language?

Universal cat translator: meow meow meow

= fuck you fuck you fuck you

Dog: woof woof woof

snausages snausages snausages

 

[Insomniator]

The better question is why were you watching Enterprise?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Seriously?

Because...animals don't have a language?

Universal cat translator: meow meow meow

= fuck you fuck you fuck you

Dog: woof woof woof

snausages snausages snausages

this should help him.

 

[dighn]

how do you know it can't? did you ask them?

 

[DrPizza]

Or translate goats.

 

[Lonyo]

Or translate amdhunter into normal.

 

[Strk]

It speaks the truth

 

[Sonikku]

The better question is, how do universal translators give all the aliens the lips movement of someone speaking inherently in English to begin with?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Honestly this is one time I prefer Stargate's explanation: the galaxy speaks English because this is a TV show so deal with it

The universal translator is a poor plot device when used, and is at its best when circumvented (Darmok in TNG).

 

[phucheneh]

Honestly this is one time I prefer Stargate's explanation: the galaxy speaks English because this is a TV show so deal with it

The universal translator is a poor plot device when used, and is at its best when circumvented (Darmok in TNG).

Darmok didn't circumvent it at all. It just pointed out how stupid it is.

And how stupid an episode Darmok is.

If everyone communicates in metaphor and can understand NOTHING else, HOW DID THEY LEARN THE DAMN STORIES THAT THE METAPHORS REFERENCE?!

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Darmok didn't circumvent it at all. It just pointed out how stupid it is.

And how stupid an episode Darmok is.

If everyone communicates in metaphor and can understand NOTHING else, HOW DID THEY LEARN THE DAMN STORIES THAT THE METAPHORS REFERENCE?!

How about building anything? Math? Failpisode