Which mirrors do third-generation diasporan Armenians have to see their images reflected back?
There is no common ground and there are no common markers of national identity for Armenians. Armenians number eight million worldwide: close to three million reside in the Republic of Armenia and five million in the diaspora, and they speak two different versions of Armenian: Eastern and Western. Second- and third-generation diasporans are unable to communicate fluently in Armenian and religion can no longer be considered a strong binding element for a/the nation. Furthermore, Armenians historically have lived in three different Empires (Turkish, Persian and Soviet) so that their cultures and ways of thinking differ greatly, depending as well on their date of resettlement and their place of origin. There is also no political organization that might unite all Armenians. Life in the diaspora offers no modern, inspiring identifying traits for younger generations. The most widespread belief in most Armenian communities is that ethnic or national identity is best fostered by preserving the
