Although I'm not one to push blind faith in scientific studies, this (from over two years ago, guys) should at least plant some fruitful doubt among the bouma-disbelievers:
https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news/After-Learning-New-Words-Brain-Sees-Them-as-Pictures
https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news/After-Learning-New-Words-Brain-Sees-Them-as-Pictures