Randy Travis -- Stroke Left Him Infirmed, Speechless

Randy Travis is not only unable to sing ... he's unable to speak ... a year after his devastating stroke ... people connected with the country singer tell TMZ.

Travis had a paralyzing stroke in July of last year. He is just now able to walk with a cane, but his speech has not come back.

The singer recently stepped out in public for the first time late last month, to attend Dolly Parton's show at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. He took a pic with her backstage after the concert. Reports then surfaced that Randy told Dolly he wanted to go back to doing what he did best ... singing.

But our sources say Randy didn't say anything to Dolly ... because he can't. A rep for Travis told TMZ ... although he can't speak now, the therapist said it wouldn't be out of the question for him to return to the stage ... possibly in 3 years.