In a world obsessed with the newest trends and the next big thing, one might find it hard to believe that a language spoken by the descendants of an entire community could be forgotten, relegated to the dusty corners of history alongside ancient scrolls and outmoded technologies. Enter David Monson Bunis, the unsung hero in the tragicomedy that is the life of Judezmo—a language as rich as a babka yet as overlooked as a moldy piece of challah. Imagine a valiant knight, not clad in shining armor but in a tweed jacket frayed at the edges, armed with nothing but a pair of reading glasses and an unwavering commitment to revive a language that rests like an elderly relative at a family gathering—forgotten by those busy scrolling through the latest social media blurb. Truly, David Bunis is the Quixote of our time, tilting his windmill against the modern world's monolingual preferences, armed only with glottal stops and a bilingual dictionary. Judezmo, or Ladino as it likes to be called when pretending to be hip, is nothing short of a linguistic treasure. A melange of Spanish, Hebrew, and a dash of Turkish, it echoes the vibrancy of the Sephardic Jewish community that birthed it. And yet, like so many beautiful things in the world, it is tragically misunderstood. How can one explain the bittersweet charm of a language that has survived expulsions, migrations, and the cold indifference of history? Its words are imbued with love stories and loss, yet they are often invisible in a world that prefers bereft emojis in lieu of poetic expression. In the tragic comedy of “Lost in Translation,” we find David Bunis standing center stage, capering about like a court jester trying to make sense of a language that is fading from memory. His tireless efforts remind us that each syllable of Judezmo carries the fragrance of spices and the warmth of family gatherings, creating a tapestry woven from the threads of nostalgia. But, lo and behold, who has the time for history when the latest TikTok dance goes viral? This poignant irony is not lost on Bunis. He struggles to bridge the gap between the remnants of a rich cultural heritage and the isolation of modernity. He is, of course, battling not just against time but against the very essence of human connection, which has devolved into awkward GIFs and one-liners that hardly scratch the surface of emotional depth. One can only imagine Bunis’ heart breaking as he tries to engage a classroom full of bright minds, only to witness the glazed expressions of students who couldn’t care less about a language that used to serenade lovers under the moonlight. And thus, we see how a professor can make an entire nation laugh while simultaneously weeping over the tragedy of lost love—love not just for people but for words, for stories, for the ability to communicate the deeper layers of the human experience. Language is, after all, more than just a collection of words; it is a vessel for love, laughter, sorrow, and connection. When we lose a language, we lose the unique worldview it represents, a personal lens through which generations experienced life's wonders and challenges. Amidst the farce that is a contemporary society enamored by the fleeting excitement of algorithmically-driven entertainment, the dedication of David Bunis acts as a poignant reminder of our responsibility: to cherish the languages that still resonate with our humanity. He demonstrates that while a language may dwindle, its essence can flourish through the enduring spirit of those who refuse to let it fade into the oblivion of failed memory. In the end, perhaps it is David Bunis who is the ultimate romantic—lost in translation, searching for love in the pages of textbooks, the melodies of ancient songs, and the tales that once echoed through the quarters of thriving communities. Let us hope that his efforts may spark a renaissance, or at least, a poignant chuckle at the folly of our often capricious relationship with language and love. And as he treads the fine line between tragedy and comedy, we can only wonder: in the great theatre of life, who among us will step forward to learn these bittersweet refrains and ensure that the language of love, like a faithful lover, is never truly forgotten?