Final answer:
The word 'diaspora' refers to the dispersion or spread of a particular people from their homeland due to various factors such as war, violence, or the search for opportunities. Diasporic communities retain a strong cultural identity and impact the societies they move to by fostering cultural hybridity and global connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the question related to Rushdie and other commentators, the term diaspora refers to option b) The dispersion or spread of a particular people. It describes the movement and dispersal of large ethnic groups from their homelands due to a variety of reasons such as warfare, institutionalized violence, or the pursuit of opportunities like education and employment. When discussing diasporic communities, it's important to recognize their deep sense of identity, often characterized by cultural hybridity, which is transformed by their migration experience. These communities maintain a collective memory of their ancestral homeland, strong identity bonds, and are influential in connecting different nation-states economically, socially, religiously, and politically.
Diasporic movements have a long history, with some of the best-known examples including the African diaspora, the Irish diaspora, and the Jewish diaspora. Today's largest diaspora originates from India, with millions living outside of their country of origin. This global phenomenon affects cultures worldwide, promoting a mix of cultural exchange and innovation known as cultural hybridity. The factors leading to diaspora include but are not limited to displacement migration, environmental migration, and aspects like refugee situations which involve people fleeing persecution, conflict, or natural disasters.