Retell: meaning, definitions and examples

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retell

 

[rɪˈtɛl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

storytelling

To retell means to tell a story again or in a different way. It often involves summarizing or paraphrasing the original narrative while maintaining the essence of the main points. Retelling can be used as a technique in education to enhance comprehension by encouraging students to process and articulate what they have learned. This verb is often employed in literary contexts, where one might retell a fable or historical event.

Synonyms

narrate, recount, rephrase.

Examples of usage

  • She was asked to retell the story of her adventure.
  • He has a talent for retelling classic fairy tales.
  • The teacher encouraged students to retell the story in their own words.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The prefix 're-' means 'again' in Latin, while 'tell' comes from Old English 'tellan', meaning to count, relate, or narrate.
  • The combination of these parts illustrates the act of narrating something once more.

Literature

  • Retelling stories is a common technique in literature that allows new voices and interpretations to emerge from classic tales.
  • Popular children's books often encourage retelling by including interactive elements that invite readers to narrate their own versions.

Psychology

  • Retelling a story can aid memory retention, as it reinforces understanding and creates stronger connections in the brain.
  • The act of repeating and retelling experiences can aid in emotional processing and comprehension of events.

Education

  • Teachers often use retelling as a strategy to assess a student's comprehension of a text, encouraging them to express it in their own way.
  • This technique fosters critical thinking skills, as students must analyze and synthesize the material to summarize it effectively.

Cultural Practices

  • Many cultures have a tradition of oral storytelling where stories are retold through generations, preserving history and morals.
  • Retelling folk tales is not only a way to entertain but also to teach values, community identity, and life lessons.

Translations

Translations of the word "retell" in other languages:

🇵🇹 recontar

🇮🇳 पुनर्कथन करना

🇩🇪 nacherzählen

🇮🇩 menceritakan kembali

🇺🇦 переконати

🇵🇱 opowiedzieć na nowo

🇯🇵 再話する

🇫🇷 raconter à nouveau

🇪🇸 volver a contar

🇹🇷 yeniden anlatmak

🇰🇷 다시 이야기하다

🇸🇦 إعادة سرد

🇨🇿 překládat

🇸🇰 znovu rozprávať

🇨🇳 重述

🇸🇮 ponovno povedati

🇮🇸 segja aftur

🇰🇿 қайта айту

🇬🇪 გადმოცემა

🇦🇿 təkrar danışmaq

🇲🇽 volver a contar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,513 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.