A small, portable, dedicated computer that compiles spoken and scanned communication and automatically translates it to a selected language (generally Colonial Basic.) The languatron can connect remotely to larger computers and databases in order to more rapidly compile an unknown language. Known languages are stored in the handheld unit for rapid access.
Truly alien languages make require a considerable amount of research, in the form of recorded conversation and related activities to compile an adequate database to generate a translation.
One draw back of the Languatrons vocalization is that the voice is flat and lacks emotion. This makes it difficult to communicate concepts such as fear, humor and similar responses.
The languatron has an effective range of about 1 maxim (30 feet) beyond this the monodirectional microphone picks up too much background noise for reliable translation.