http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diaspora
(n) any group migration or flight from a country or region
(n) any group that has been dispersed outside its homeland
http://en.thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning/diaspora/
(n) Lit., “Dispersion.” — applied collectively: (a) To those Jews who, after the Exile, were scattered through the Old World.
*the first letter of the term diaspora is capitalized by some
Synonyms: dispersion, dissemination, migration, displacement, scattering.
Antonyms: return.
The term diaspora was first used in reference to the historical dispersion of Jewish people from the Middle East. The term itself in the Greek language means ‘dispersion.’
The term has evolved today to describe “practically any population which is considered ‘deterritoialised’ or ‘transnational’ – that is, which has originated in a land other than which it currently resides, and whose social, economic and political networks cross the borders of nation-states or, indeed, span the globe.” (Vertovec 1999, pg. 1). Leading scholars like Brubaker (2005) to question the loose usage of the term, as its meaning has proliferated over the last few decades.
Braziel, Jana Evans and Mannur, Anita (2003) “Theorizing diaspora: a reader” Blackwell Publishers. Malden, MA.
Brubaker, Roger. (2005) “The ‘diaspora’ diaspora” Ethnic and Racial Studies. Vol. 28 Issue 1. pp. 1-19
Davies, Rebecca. (2007) “Reconceptualising the migration-development nexus: diasporas, globalization and the politics of exclusion.” Third World Quarterly. Vol. 28, Issue 1. Pp. 59-76
Mavroudi, Elizabeth (2007) “Diaspora as Process: (De)Constructing Boundaries” Geography Compass. Vol. 1 Issue 3 pp. 467-479
Vertovec, Steven (1999) “Three meanings of ‘diaspora’, exemplified among South Asian religions.” Diaspora vol. 7 Issue 2 pp.1-37
Other related words (may be concepts)
- Migration
- Return; repatriation
- Identity