Dingbat
2017-08-11 00:06:59 UTC
Are erupt and irrupt different words?
In spoken language, they sound the same. How can one who studies spoken
language tell how many words have a given pronunciation?
In written language, they have the different spellings, but what if one is
not studying the way(s) the language is written?
This piece seems to use irrupt as a pun on erupt:
https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/eruption_irruption.php
An “eruption” goes out, while an “irruption” goes in. Perhaps Douthat was being
subtle, using “irruption” in the invading sense, but wanting the evocation of
an exploding “eruption” as well.
In spoken language, they sound the same. How can one who studies spoken
language tell how many words have a given pronunciation?
In written language, they have the different spellings, but what if one is
not studying the way(s) the language is written?
This piece seems to use irrupt as a pun on erupt:
https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/eruption_irruption.php
An “eruption” goes out, while an “irruption” goes in. Perhaps Douthat was being
subtle, using “irruption” in the invading sense, but wanting the evocation of
an exploding “eruption” as well.