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star trek - Why couldn't the universal translator be used to communicate with the Klingons?


In Star Trek Into Darkness,



Uhura was sent alone to communicate with hostile looking Klingons on Qo'noS.



Why couldn't the universal translator be used remotely or with security personnel?


Note: the Universal Translator was invented before the new timeline diverged from the original one.



Answer



Several answers come to mind, some based in the show's mythology, others in terms of production and character development.





  • Klingons are no fans of technology that isn't designed to kill, maim or destroy. Using a universal translator to speak to a Klingon might be seen, by the Klingon, as a sign of disrespect. "You come to my planet illegally, run around, claiming you are hunting terrorists and you can't even explain yourself in my language? Die, alien."




  • Consider in the Prime Universe when Kirk and crew were being tried before being sent to Rura Penthe (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country) they were forced to listen to their trial through a translator because the Klingons refused to speak Federation Basic. The period before the Klingons and Federation become allies is fraught with tension in either universe.




  • The Universal Translator is not a perfect device and subject to linguistic and nuance-based errors. Considering the nature of the relationship with the Klingons in the Abrams-verse Star Trek, someone who spoke the language would definitely be preferable to someone using the Universal Translator.





  • This gives Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, noted linguist (and the only person who COULD speak Klingon) an opportunity to get off the ship, get some screen time negotiating with a Klingon. When her negotiation fails, she gets some tough-girl credits for stabbing the Klingon and ending her negotiation in a style a Klingon can understand if not respect.




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