Even though translation of diminutives may give rise to signifi cant diffi culties, it is usually omitted while analysing different aspects concerning the whole process of cross-cultural translating. The following paper discusses the issue of translating diminutives, as, in many cases, it requires not only a careful analysis of all the meanings of diminutive forms, but also the translator’s inventiveness and sensitivity. Therefore, as far as translation of diminutives is concerned, the notions of untranslatability, compensation and explicitation, as well as domestication and foreignization should be introduced. The chapter also discusses the most common methods used to translate diminutives from English into Polish.

This paper considers two Polish translations of Pamela Travers’ Mary Poppins. I shall analyse the translation procedures applied by the translator Irena Tuwim to render culturally marked words and expressions, the difficulties she encountered during her work, and modifications that occur in the target text. Besides, there are also some discrepancies in two Polish editions which I shall compare.