How language detection works across 100+ languages

6 min read

Language detection runs on a short window at the start of the file — which is why a cold open with music or silence can occasionally throw it off.

Code-switching (moving between languages mid-conversation) is the hardest case; the model locks onto the dominant language rather than switching line by line.

If a file's detected language looks wrong, it's almost always because of what's in those first few seconds, not a deeper model issue.