An Endnote Definition for Diaspora Studies
An Endnote Definition for Diaspora Studies

Summary/Abstract: The term ‘diaspora’ is becoming increasingly popular. However, if we examine what we mean by this expression precisely, we come across a broad spectrum of topics such as migration, minority existence, ethnic and national affiliation, social integration, cultural assimilation, multiculturalism and various national politics. How do diaspora communities come into existence? How can we distinguish them, if at all, from other smaller communities of a similar nature established on the basis of ethnicity, national affiliation or religion? What is the relationship between the diaspora, the host country and the homeland, if there is such a thing? Should we distinguish between the various uses of the concept of diaspora in the political, everyday and academic sense? How has the semantic content of this concept changed: what did it mean in the past and what does it mean now? Why has it become so popular? This paper seeks an answer to these questions with the ultimate aim to clarify the problems surrounding the term diaspora with the help of a comprehensive and applicable definition. Since we are essentially dealing with a conceptual definition, it is worth starting by presenting the etymological roots and the semantic evolution of the given term.

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