Why didn't klingon work with the universal translator?

[The Johnson]

This has probably been asked 1,000,000 times but I can't be arsed looking for the answer.

Why, when the klingons speak klingon, does it come out as klingon to the ears of everyone listening?

when klingons aren't speaking klingon, are they actually speaking the Queen's English?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I always thought the UT can be overridden by the speaker if they want to use their native language.

 

[T'Girl]

Why, when the klingons speak klingon, does it come out as klingon to the ears of everyone listening?

The translator might be "smart" enough not to translate certain words and phrases. Today is Cinco de Mayo, it's not just a date, it's a day with special meaning to a great many people. If I were speaking to Worf and mention Cinco de Mayo, the translator would hopefully not simply translate my words as "the Fifth of May."

Some Klingon words could have multiple meanings depending on usage, it would be up to the speaker to explain which meaning they were employing.

 

[Shawnster]

The UT has a built-in "dramatic dialog" sensor that determines whether translating would be appropriate and in harmony with the plot.

Translator microbes on Farscape operate on the same principle.

 

[MacLeod]

As T'Girl says the UT might not translate every word, remember English has borrowed words from many languages. So for example if a Klingon word became well enough known and established itself into the English language why transalte it.