The National Hispanic Cultural Center presents a free public event to celebrate bilingualism and New Mexico Spanish. The event will celebrate a book launch of Bilingualism in the Community on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

The recently published book examines code switching and offers research documenting that, contrary to popular beliefs about language mixing, bilinguals are skilled at maintaining distinct grammatical structures in their two languages, while switching between them.

The event will include the following speakers: Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, UNM Vice President for Student Affairs; Simón Romero, correspondent for the New York Times; Garland Bills, author with Neddy Vigil of The Spanish Language of New Mexico and Southern Colorado: A Linguistic Atlas; Joan Bybee, distinguished Professor Emerita; Anna Nogar, Naomi Shin and Damián Vergara Wilson of UNM; Daniel Abeyta of Bosque School; and authors Rena Torres Cacoullos and Catherine Travis.

In addition, the reception will showcase UNM’s Spanish as a Heritage Language program and posters of student projects on bilingualism and Spanish.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend. To register for a free ticket, visit the website.