In response to International Mother Language Day, the National Taiwan Library (NTL) has partnered with Taiwan illustrator Poca or Cheng Su-ya (鄭夙雅) and Indot Image to launch the “Little Kappa’s sign language class” special exhibit. Blending cultural creativity with digital technology, it incorporates Hakka culture, disabilities, Taiwan food and agriculture, and other themes to raise awareness of Taiwan Sign Language. 

International Mother Language Day, proposed by UNESCO in 1999, promotes global language preservation and mother tongue transmission to prevent most of the world's languages from vanishing.

Beyond spoken language, sign language is a vital communication channel.  The exhibit features “Little Kappa” as Taiwan Sign Language ambassador guiding children, families, and new residents in learning it through five themes, including digital tech experiences of mother tongue reading. 

NTL research assistant Chueh Shih-ying (闕詩穎) said, “The exhibit features seven selected picture books by Taiwanese authors on Hakka culture, sustainable development, disabilities, food and agriculture education, and CRPD issues. Combined with AR, augmented reality, using a mobile device reveals sign language animations developed jointly by National Taichung University of Science and Technology (NUTC) and the library. This fuses reading, culture, and tech for interactive experiences; we hope it lets visitors encounter Taiwan Sign Language and diverse cultures while enjoying stories.”

NTL Director Tsao Tsui-ying (曹翠英) noted the library, designated by the Education Ministry for reading equity and human rights, advances national language plans. Through industry-academia collaboration, NUTC Professor Hwang Kuo-feng’s (黃國峰) team created Taiwan’s first Taiwan Sign Language Interactive Electronic Picture Book System after years of development, building digital infrastructure for inclusive mother tongue learning. 

The exhibit runs through March 29, and those who join in and complete the tasks receive limited-edition Little Kappa stickers. NTL invites all to explore stories, learn sign language, and discover new reading joys.