From: "DAN L. BURK" <dburk@osf1.gmu.edu>
Newsgroups: law.listserv.cyberia-l
Subject: Navajo Code Talkers
Date: 15 Dec 1994 17:40:34 -0600

Since the Navajo Code Talkers from WWII seem to be a favorite example for 
encryption (even if Mike is tired of it) we should probably clarify that 
they did *not* speak straight Navajo.  Although the language is almost 
impossibly difficult for non-native speakers (I say almost, Mormon 
missionaries routinely learn it) the Code Talkers were afraid that the 
Japanese would capture a native speaker, dig up a Navajo dictionary, or 
whatever.  Consequently, they agreed among themselves on a garbling of 
Navajo, somewhat analogous to "Pig Latin" in English, which they used 
throughout the war.

Consequently, the messages were in some sense double-encrypted -- only 
another Code Talker could understand them; not even another native speaker 
could have.

Dan L. Burk
George Mason University
dburk@osf1.gmu.edu