The Impact of Explicit Metalinguistic Knowledge in L1 on the Usage of the Present Subjunctive in Relative Clauses in L3

This study aimed to investigate how learners from India, whose first language (L1) is Hindi, second language (L2) is English, and third language (L3) is Spanish, recognize and consciously utilize the cross-linguistic similarities and differences related to the present subjunctive mood in relative clauses. Notably, the subjunctive mood shows significant parallels between Hindi (L1) and Spanish (L3). The research involved 64 participants enrolled in the second year of Bachelor of Arts programs in Spanish at Jawaharlal Nehru University, representing different proficiency levels. An acceptability judgment task and a metalinguistic knowledge test were used to assess whether a high level of metalinguistic knowledge (MLK) and metalinguistic awareness (MLA) facilitated the transfer from L1 Hindi to L3 Spanish in acquiring the present subjunctive mood. Key findings from a mixed-effects model revealed varying levels of MLK among participants, but no statistically significant effect on overall performance was observed. These results suggest that, while MLK may vary, it does not necessarily translate into improved acquisition of the present subjunctive in L3 Spanish.