The dangers of translation are discussed when the translator does not try to create textual equivalence, but settles for formal correspondence (i.e., with simple transcoding at a linguistic level) during the process of translating. Difficulties of explaining, commenting, or summarizing rather than translating are also discussed. Pedagogical and didactic implications are considered. Concrete examples taken from Erich Segal's "Love Story" are analyzed to illustrate the dangers of formal correspondence; French, Hungarian, and German translations of the English excerpts are used. Contains 6 references. (LB)