A sociological study on the Turkish diaspora and Turkish identity in Hungary

The concept of diaspora refers to communities that have been displaced from their homeland due to various reasons or compelling circumstances and continue to live in different geographical contexts. In the literature, this concept is approached through two main theoretical frameworks. The first is the traditional/classical approach, which interprets diaspora through historical ties and ethnic affiliation. The second is the modern/new approach, which has emerged since the 1980s under the influence of paradigms such as globalization, postmodernism, and transnationalism. The main objective of this study is to examine the experiences of Turkish migrants in Hungary within the framework of the modern/new diaspora paradigm, with a particular focus on identity construction, sense of belonging, and diaspora processes. The study was conducted using a qualitative research methodology and employed an ethnographic research design. Within the scope of the research, interviews were conducted with a total of 31 Turkish migrants residing in Hungary, including 5 women and 26 men. Data were collected through interviews and observational techniques. The data obtained were systematically analyzed using the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA. The analyses revealed that Turkish migrants living in Hungary exhibit characteristics of a diaspora, and that this formation can largely be interpreted within the framework of the modern/new diaspora approach. It was also determined that the migrants predominantly construct their identity around the notion of a "Turkish identity." The findings of the study demonstrate that Turkish migrants in Hungary have formed a diaspora community and, within this context, have developed various practices aimed at reproducing and maintaining their Turkish identity.