West Virginia Code Chapter 2. Common Law, Statutes, Legal Holidays, Definitions, and Legal Capacity § 2-2-13. Official business and records of the state to be in English; exceptions; definition

(1) Protect public health and safety;

(2) Teach or study other languages;

(3) Protect the rights of criminal defendants or victims of crime;

(4) Promote trade, tourism or commerce;

(5) Facilitate activities pertaining to the compilation of any census;

(6) Comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, PL 101-476;

(7) Use proper names, terms of art, legal terms or phrases from languages other than English; or

(8) Comply with the Constitution and laws of the United States of America or the Constitution of West Virginia. Except in exigent circumstances, when an official government document is translated into any language other than English under this section, an English translation shall also be provided in the same document, appearing in such a manner as to afford the reader the opportunity to observe the English translation of all phrases used.

(1) Diminish the usage of, prevent the study or development of, or discourage the use of, any Native American language in any context or for any purpose;

(2) Prohibit an elected official from speaking to any person in a language other than English while campaigning or providing constituent services. However, those officials are encouraged to use English as much as possible to promote fluency in English;

(3) Disparage any language or discourage any person from learning or using any language; or

(4) Prohibit informal and nonbinding translations or communications among or between representatives of government and other persons if the activity does not affect or impair supervision, management, conduct, or execution of official actions and if the representatives of government make clear that these translations or communications are unofficial and not binding on the state or any political subdivision of the state.