Final answer:
The Navajo language was chosen for code talking in WWII due to its complexity and because it was seldom understood by outsiders. This allowed for secure communication in the U.S. military operations. The Navajo code talkers and other Native American tribes were crucial to the success of American efforts due to their unique linguistic abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Navajo Was Chosen as a Code Language
The Navajo language was selected as a code language in World War II due to its complexity and the fact that it was understood by only a few non-Navajo people. Navajo code talkers played a vital role by utilizing their unique linguistic abilities in the transmission of top-secret messages that were indecipherable to enemy forces. Navajo code talkers memorized up to 17 pages of codes and showed remarkable intelligence, dedication, and bravery under harsh physical training conditions. Utilizing traditional methods of oral storytelling and memory, they were able to accurately memorize, interpret, and transmit messages without writing them down. The code talkers adapted their language through unique terms representative of modern warfare—for instance, 'iron fish' for 'submarine'—and spelled out words using the first letter of English translations of Navajo words. This ingenious method enabled near-instant communication, which was crucial for the U.S. military operations in the Pacific. Other Native American tribes, such as the Comanches and Meskwakis, also contributed significantly using their languages as code in different theaters of war.
A resurgence of Native American traditions in the 1930s helped cultivate a pool of individuals adept at using their linguistic heritage to the advantage of the U.S. war effort. The Navajo and other Native American service members, counting more than 25% of native men eligible to enlist, exemplified the vitality of maintaining cultural practices and knowledge.