diff --git a/docs/forward-api.md b/docs/forward-api.md
index 3559576..91ad3a0 100644
--- a/docs/forward-api.md
+++ b/docs/forward-api.md
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ svc := i18n.Default()
 
 // Option 2: Explicit creation with options
 svc, err := i18n.New(
+    i18n.WithLanguage("en-GB"),
     i18n.WithFallback("en"),
     i18n.WithDefaultHandlers(),
 )
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ The service automatically detects the system language from `LANG`, `LC_ALL`, or
 | Option | Effect |
 |--------|--------|
 | `WithFallback("en")` | Set fallback language for missing translations |
+| `WithLanguage("fr")` | Set the initial language before the service starts serving |
 | `WithDefaultHandlers()` | Register the six built-in `i18n.*` namespace handlers |
 | `WithHandlers(h...)` | Replace handlers entirely |
 | `WithMode(ModeStrict)` | Panic on missing keys (useful in CI) |
diff --git a/docs/i18n/README.md b/docs/i18n/README.md
index 67775a9..91c093c 100644
--- a/docs/i18n/README.md
+++ b/docs/i18n/README.md
@@ -390,6 +390,7 @@ Use functional options when creating a service:
 
 ```go
 svc, err := i18n.New(
+    i18n.WithLanguage("de-DE"),       // Initial language
     i18n.WithFallback("de-DE"),           // Fallback language
     i18n.WithFormality(i18n.FormalityFormal),  // Default formality
     i18n.WithMode(i18n.ModeStrict),       // Missing key mode
diff --git a/service.go b/service.go
index 80ce55e..1109dba 100644
--- a/service.go
+++ b/service.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	messages         map[string]map[string]Message // lang -> key -> message
 	currentLang      string
 	fallbackLang     string
+	requestedLang    string
 	languageExplicit bool
 	availableLangs   []language.Tag
 	mode             Mode
@@ -42,6 +43,15 @@ func WithFallback(lang string) Option {
 	return func(s *Service) { s.fallbackLang = normalizeLanguageTag(lang) }
 }
 
+// WithLanguage sets an explicit initial language for the service.
+//
+// The language is applied after the loader has populated the available
+// languages, so it can resolve to the best supported tag instead of failing
+// during option construction.
+func WithLanguage(lang string) Option {
+	return func(s *Service) { s.requestedLang = normalizeLanguageTag(lang) }
+}
+
 // WithFormality sets the default formality level.
 func WithFormality(f Formality) Option {
 	return func(s *Service) { s.formality = f }
@@ -179,6 +189,12 @@ func NewWithLoader(loader Loader, opts ...Option) (*Service, error) {
 		s.currentLang = s.fallbackLang
 	}
 
+	if s.requestedLang != "" {
+		if err := s.SetLanguage(s.requestedLang); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+
 	return s, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/service_test.go b/service_test.go
index 2d4db85..d697123 100644
--- a/service_test.go
+++ b/service_test.go
@@ -1048,6 +1048,7 @@ func TestWithDefaultHandlers_Idempotent(t *testing.T) {
 func TestServiceWithOptions(t *testing.T) {
 	svc, err := New(
 		WithFallback("en"),
+		WithLanguage("fr_CA"),
 		WithFormality(FormalityFormal),
 		WithLocation("workspace"),
 		WithMode(ModeCollect),
@@ -1069,6 +1070,20 @@ func TestServiceWithOptions(t *testing.T) {
 	if svc.Location() != "workspace" {
 		t.Errorf("Location = %q, want workspace", svc.Location())
 	}
+	if got := svc.Language(); got != "fr" {
+		t.Errorf("Language() = %q, want fr", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWithLanguage(t *testing.T) {
+	svc, err := New(WithLanguage("fr_CA"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("New() with WithLanguage() failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if got := svc.Language(); got != "fr" {
+		t.Fatalf("Language() = %q, want %q", got, "fr")
+	}
 }
 
 func TestNewWithFS(t *testing.T) {