With there being discussion on the true definition of the word “wild,” a number of official dictionaries present not just one singular definition of the term, but multiple. According to both the Cambridge and Merriam-Webster dictionaries, describing a subject as “wild” may signify its uncontrolled, extreme nature. Stemming from this interpretation, one may describe extreme weather conditions, a lively party, or possibly outlying financial statistics as wild. On the other hand, both dictionaries provide an alternate definition that describes a wild subject as beings, most commonly plants or animals, living in a state of nature without domestication. Therefore, one may also describe a rainforest’s inhabitants and grasses as wild. Moreover, “wild” is also used to describe an unconventional act that deviates from the idea of something commonly accepted, or the “norm”. In sum, then, the word “wild” may be used in various contexts to describe a subject.
My own perception of the word “wild” is similar to this polysemy. I believe the adjective may be used in various settings while meaning different things. On the other hand, I most frequently refer to something as wild when it diverts from a common expectation or norm. For instance, I would expect an “everyday” car in a parking lot to stay still in a parking lot. In contrast to this expectation, a car doing doughnuts in a parking lot would seem “wild” to me. In similar contexts, my use of the word “wild” is synonymous with the words “free” and “unrestricted”. My common use of the word “wild” in this type of context can make me forget its alternate meanings. In reflection, I also realize that various languages other than English define “wild” in different ways. I find it interesting that, opposed to this polysemous view, the word “wild” translated to Vietnamese, or hoang dai, solely reflects the definition of which wild things are related to nature and a lack of human interference. This contrast between languages proves that the meaning of “wild” is open to interpretation rather than being one simple definition.
Vivian Nguyen
The discussion you had about the idea of a “true meaning” to the word wild really stuck out to me. The contrast that you mentioned between the single meaning of hoang dai versus the multiple meanings of wild was something I had not thought of before, but now I wonder why English groups up all these definitions on a single word.
I absolutely love the different examples you added to further present your idea. The point about the car doing doughnuts in the parking lot as well as the point about the Vietnamese translation of the word wild really emphasize your argument over how there are various definitions for this one word based on the context of the sentence. The added synonyms also keep your definition from sounding bland and repeating ‘wild’ over and over again.