257: Code Talkers

Comic #257 (May 4, 2007) Next >

Code Talkers

Title text: As far as I can tell, Navajo doesn't have a common word for 'zero'. do-neh-lini means 'neutral'.

Explanation

Code talkers are persons who communicate using a coded version of their native language. The most well-known code talkers were the Navajo-speaking Marines serving during World War II.

This comic shows a Navajo code talker transmitting an encrypted binary file by speaking "one" and "zero" (actually "neutral") into a microphone. Unlike the Navajo Marines, this process does not add security and is slower than simply transmitting the file over a network.

The title text states that Randall used "neutral" instead of "zero" because he was unable to find a common Navajo word for it.

Transcript

[A man is looking at a computer monitor and speaking into a microphone.]

Man 1: A'la'ih, do'neh'lini,

do'neh'lini, a'la'ih,

a'la'ih, do'neh'lini,

do'neh'lini, do'neh'lini,

a'la'ih, a'la'ih,

do'neh'lini, a'la'ih,

do'neh'lini,do'neh'lini,

do'neh'lini ...

[Two men are talking nearby.]

Man 2: For added security, after we encrypt the data stream, we send it through our Navajo code talker.

Man 3: ...Is he just using Navajo words for "Zero" and "One"?

Man 2: Woah, hey, keep your voice down!

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