Universal Translator

A Universal Translator is a device used by the Hyperion Federation (as well as several other factions) to efficiently translate between various alien languages.
They rely on an extremely powerful computer to calculate every possible translation before omitting unlikely translations. Because the differences in alien languages can vary massively, sometimes not even sound based, this essentially puts the translator near its limit. These sorts of machines must also take in a lot of energy to function properly because of this. They are capable of translating both speech and written language, given enough information. It can be impossible for some species to speak in a language of another species due to a possible difference in evolution and potentially different vocal organs.
These sorts of machines are very important to the stability of the HF and other multi species factions. This is because such factions contain a huge number of different languages, often extremely diverse. They can be compromised, especially as its operation requires a level of rigidity not often seen in computers (in that not everything follows hard rules).
In order to operate, a translator requires both languages to be known. This can come from a memory bank on another computer, a data center or other source. If a translator detects an unknown language, it will still listen to the language but is unable to translate. Instead, it stores all language fragments it finds on a similar data bank. The translator itself will make efforts to decode this language, which requires even more computing power than its normal operation. Additionally, not all information about the written language can be obtained just from speech or vice versa. There is nothing a Universal Translator can do to correct this, but after it decodes speech to a usable level, both sides can then teach the other details about their languages, including their writing system and speech sounds associated with each character or combination thereof.
They also have another operation that can be used to translate the writing system of another language. Using extremely complex mathematical equations, more complicated meanings can be conveyed. These are then transmitted to the alien ship. Communication in this way is extremely difficult and takes a lot of time, but it is possible to communicate in this way to any species because maths is vital for any civilization, let alone a spacefaring civilization.