Code Talkers Language Analysis

In the Code Talkers, Ned learns American ways and goes to serve in World War Two by being a Code Talker. In the novel, it shows the ability to find strength and courage through one's culture. The four examples I choose was Ned not wanting to forget his language, doing the Blessingsway ceremony, working hard/not giving up, and learning self-confidence as a marine.

When Ned was in boarding school the teachers would punish Navajo children if the spoke Navajo. For some, the punishment was bad enough that it was hard to speak Navajo, but for Ned, it made him not want to forget it. An example is, "If anything, rather than taking my language away from me, made me more determined never to forget it" (pg. 26-27). This connects to my theme by when he said he felt more determined that meant he had strength and courage to never forget his language.

Before Ned went to boot camp, he had a ceremony done for him called the Blessingway which gives him strength and safety. My example for this is, "You know what it's like to feel the beauty of the sunrise touching and giving you strength as the corn pollen is sprinkled on the earth into crosses where you kneel" (pg. 54). This example connects to my theme because the Blessingway is a ceremony that has to do with Navajo culture. It gives Ned strength and

The first example is, "Through all the years that we kept our secret about having been code talkers, I worked hard for our people as a teacher and a member of our community" (pg.212). This example shows that Ned had the courage to work hard for his community which was his culture. The second example is, "However, I never gave up. I just became more determined. I took part in tribal government, working for education reform on our reservation." Which shows that he had the strength and courage to keep trying to help accomplish more in his