If you check carefully, the United States actually has no official language at all (though the CIA World Factbook does note that "Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii").
@LGD: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 not only allows sign language to be used, it requires courts, hospitals, law offices, etc., to provide interpreters, as necessary.
Well, not strictly true Erik:
The ADA requires that public accommodations provide an alternate, non-discriminatory accessible means of access. Sign Language (and ASL) is the most common alternate means of access for the deaf and hearing impaired, but for many things, auto-transcription to a portable tablet is sufficient.
Discussion (5)
It betrays the spirit of the United States being a melting pot for people of all cultures.
I don't know that it does, but if so, that's quite unfortunate.
So are mute people not allowed to use sign language in courts etc.?
Having an official language does not bar using other languages.
If you check carefully, the United States actually has no official language at all (though the CIA World Factbook does note that "Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii").
@LGD: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 not only allows sign language to be used, it requires courts, hospitals, law offices, etc., to provide interpreters, as necessary.
Well, not strictly true Erik:
The ADA requires that public accommodations provide an alternate, non-discriminatory accessible means of access. Sign Language (and ASL) is the most common alternate means of access for the deaf and hearing impaired, but for many things, auto-transcription to a portable tablet is sufficient.