Divergent Heterogeneities in Iranian Migration in France: Semantic and Theoretical Limitations of Diaspora

Abstract

Despite its widespread use as an equivalent for migrant populations, the term diaspora remains semantically and theoretically ambiguous. This study hypothesizes that the term diaspora fails to represent Iranian migration and its divergent heterogeneities. Discussing theoretical approaches to the diaspora, the characteristics of Iranian migration, and the findings of interviews with forty young Iranian migrants living in France, the present study attempts to offer a more suitable alternative to the term diaspora. It will be revealed that the heterogeneity of Iranian migration in causes, the conception of migration experience, as well as disinclination to create a unified community in host countries, lead Iranians living outside their country to form scattered clusters. The term proposed to be used in lieu of diaspora is archipelago ethnicity, which shows both the heterogeneity and divergence in Iranian migration in general and represents the only connection between the scattered and isolated islands, that is Iranian-ness.