The Navajo Code uses a combination of acronyms and word replacements. Plain text when encrypted could be spelled out in English and for each letter acronyms would be used. Most commonly used military terms and key subjects would be with a symbolic word.
For example:
If the plain text is 'Pass'
It would be translated into English cipher text first:
P -> Pretty
A -> Ant
S -> Sheep
S -> Snake
Those words would now be translated into Navajo:
Pretty = NE-ZHONI
Ant = WOL-LA-CHEE
Sheep = DIBEH
Snake = KLESH
The resulting transmittion:
NE-ZHONI WOL-LA-CHEE DIBEH KLESH
Of course not all words are transmitted in such a way. Entire words are replaced with Navajo words that have a different literal meaning. Since it is a spoken language and it does not have words that directly correspond to modern warfare and military terms, words in the traditional language are used to represent modern terms and names.
Such as:
'tank' would be referred to as a 'turtle', 'submarine' would be referred to as 'iron fish', 'bombs' (carried on aircraft) would be called 'eggs'.
Works Cited/Consulted
