Pronunciation: [ɹɪtˈɛlz] (IPA) 
The word "retells" has a simple spelling but its pronunciation can be tricky. It is pronounced as /riːˈtɛlz/ with two syllables. The first syllable is "ree" which sounds like the word "be", followed by "tells" which sounds like "tells". The key to spelling "retells" correctly is to remember that the double "l" is pronounced as a single "l", and the "e" at the end of the word is silent. "Retells" means to relate or tell a story again.
The term "retells" refers to the action of conveying or narrating a story or an event that has already taken place, often with the intention of summarizing, recounting, or presenting it in a new way. It involves the act of presenting information or recounting an experience in a revised or modified manner, potentially incorporating personal interpretations or emphasizing particular aspects or viewpoints.
Retelling can occur in various contexts, including literature, history, mythology, folklore, or even in day-to-day conversations. When retelling a story or event, the individual typically condenses the original content, removing superfluous details or altering the sequence of events to create a more concise and focused narrative. This process allows the reteller to emphasize key elements or themes, enhance suspense, or even provide a different perspective on the story.
Retelling can also involve adaptation, where the original story or event is modified to suit a different medium, such as turning a book into a film or a play. In these cases, the reteller may choose to emphasize different aspects of the original, reinterpret characters or events, or explore new themes. The goal of retelling is to deliver the essence of the story or event in a way that engages and captivates the audience or listeners, while maintaining the core elements that make the narrative compelling.
The word "retells" is a derivative of the verb "retell". The etymology of "retell" can be traced back to the combination of the prefix "re-" and the verb "tell".
The prefix "re-" in English is derived from Latin and often indicates repetition or restoration, as well as indicating a return to a former state. In the case of "retell", it suggests the idea of repeating or recounting a story or narrative.
The verb "tell" originates from the Old English word "tellan", which means "to recount, narrate, or relate". It has Germanic roots and is closely related to the Dutch "tellen" and the German "zählen", both meaning "to count".
So, when "re-" is added to "tell", it forms "retell", which means to tell or recount a story again or in a different way.
