Language is one of the communication medium used by people to communicate with each others. Without language being used, it is very impossible for us to understand others. Even, deaf and dumb people have their own language to communicate among themselves as well as with normal people. Interestingly, people in the past have been started to use secret code in their life. They have been created the new techniques in the communication, as a result today’s people still used it and some they modified it as to make it compatible with the current situation. But, past and present secret codes are not totally same. Therefore, there are three similarities and differences between past and present secret code, in term of techniques to delivery, medium used and purposes.
Firstly, there are similarities between past and present secret codes. Both in the past especially during 1700s and 1900s and present used their creative intervention to deliver their messages to other. For example, both people in the past and present used what they have in their surrounding so that messages can be transmits to others. Other than that, both of them used certain medium to deliver their messages. The medium used can be from naturally or used current devices. Besides, both of people in the past and present have the same purposes by using secret code. They want to keep secret among themselves, protects their ideas and also for safety. Thus, it is clear that both past and present secret code have similarities.
Secondly, there are differences between past and present secret code. In past, the secret code used in some techniques such as used in the form of symbols, secret writing and native words. An example regarding this is secret writing by using invisible ink by both British and American armies during Revolutionary War around 1780s. Compare to present secret code, it used in the short form, modified the words and numbers. For example, the teenagers today used short form when messaging to each other. They used short form of ‘Code 9’ means parents are nearby, ‘143’ means I love you, and ‘182’ means I hate you. Other than that, the medium used by both past and present are different. In the past, secret code was delivered by smokes, letter, stone, and birds. Compare to present secret code, it is more to modern and used technology devices such as hand phone and internet. For example, people today able to sent secret code to their friends very fast just by using text messages via hand phone and also e-mail. Furthermore, past and present secret code can be different in term or purposes. Recently, in the past the secret code was used mainly during war and protection. For example, British and German military used secret code during World War II. Compare to present secret code, it used many in the business which need codes to protect their ideas or processes. Today’s technologies have driven new code of language for sending messages very fast and allow quick communication. It also used as a way of hiding information from others, especially teenagers want to keep secret from their parents. Thus, it is very clearly that there are differences between past and present secret code.
As a conclusion, the differences and similarities between past and present secret code made people realize that the secret code have certain techniques, medium and purposes since it existed. We must keep in our mind that the existence of the secret code is mainly because of the creativity and ideas of innovation come from people itself. So, we must appreciate our valuable mind given from God. Thus, we should use this kind of language in proper way for our benefits.
