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Code Language


By Aa. Ovesen

From a historical point of view, communication through codes has occurred in most cultures. We know of Arabic code writings from as early as the ninth century whereas Europe only started to talk seriously in codes during the late Middle Ages.


Concealing one's own messages is often connected with revealing enemy intentions. Wars, royal intrigues, and political conflicts have all given rise to creative efforts of discretion and, consequently, to the continuous development of cryptology. In this connection, branches of science like linguistics and mathematics have played an important part, but also people rooted in chess, bridge, and even crosswords have contributed to this development.

The need to keep important messages secret seems to appear everywhere: from playing children and lovers to industry and commerce and even top levels within the state where shady business takes place. Secret communication covers simple code principles, eavesdropping, opening of letters in connection with letter censorship, and old communication forms like the use of carrier pigeons in times of peace as well as war. The 20th century also witnessed a phenomenon like the sophisticated Enigma code machine of the German Nazis. The question of data safety is another complicated example on the political agenda of today.

Widely different means and methods may be used for secret communication. Hidden radio messages or certain ways of placing a stamp on an envelope may for instance help a message safely on its way to the recipient preventing unwanted persons from getting wind of the matter. On the other hand, telephone tapping, censorship of letters, and other surveillance mechanisms may give access to knowledge of the opponent’s plans. It is an old story of contemporary relevance and at the same time a fascinating, and normally hidden world.


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