Publication

Query-Following vs Context-Anchoring: How LLMs Handle Cross-Turn Language Switching

2026

Abstract

When multilingual users switch languages mid-conversation, how should LLMs respond? We extend MultiChallenge to evaluate cross-turn language switching, translating 182 multi-turn conversations into German, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic. Across five frontier models, we observe asymmetric behavior: switching into a foreign language (EN→X) yields high query-language fidelity (89-99%), but switching back to English (X→EN) reveals divergent policies. GPT-5 follows the query language (>95%), while Claude Opus 4.5 and Command R+ maintain the established conversation language (

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4a119aae-cbfd-4533-b0b6-fd750bb7c28e

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4a119aae-cbfd-4533-b0b6-fd750bb7c28e

About this result

Related concepts (23)

English as a second or foreign language

English as a second or foreign language is the use of English by speakers with different native languages. Language education for people learning English may be known as English as a foreign language (EFL), English as a second language (ESL), English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English as a New Language (ENL). The aspect in which EFL is taught is referred to as teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), teaching English as a second language (TESL) or teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

Foundation models

A foundation model (also called base model) is a large machine learning (ML) model trained on a vast quantity of data at scale (often by self-supervised learning or semi-supervised learning) such that it can be adapted to a wide range of downstream tasks. Foundation models have helped bring about a major transformation in how artificial intelligence (AI) systems are built, such as by powering prominent chatbots and other user-facing AI.

Foreign language

A foreign language is a language that is not an official language of, nor typically spoken in, a specific country. Native speakers from that country usually need to acquire it through conscious learning, such as through language lessons at school, self-teaching, or attending language courses. A foreign language might be learned as a second language; however, there is a distinction between the two terms. A second language refers to a language that plays a significant role in the region where the speaker lives, whether for communication, education, business, or governance.

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Query-Following vs Context-Anchoring: How LLMs Handle Cross-Turn Language Switching

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