Quote Originally Posted by frequent View Post
I suppose these fantasists who believe that migrants to their own country are bursting to learn its language and adopt its culture have never paid a thoughtful visit to the nearest Chinatown. There they will find hundreds if not thousands of people who haven't assimilated and have no intention of doing so
You should get out more. The world does not revolve on the US alone. There are actually countries (like my home country) where people are FORCED to learn the language. Anyone wanting to enter the Netherlands on a long term visa needs to pass an exam in the Dutch embassy in the country of origin. An exam that includes showing that the immigrant at least has a certain command of the Dutch language. Failure to pass this exam means, this long term visa cannot be obtained by the applicant.

Once arrived in the Netherlands, and applied for a five year provisional residency permit, the applicant has to follow classes that further enhances the language command, and some other things. Within three years of commencing with this course, the immigrant is expected to pass a series of exams, two of which is geared at command of the Dutch language. Failure to pass all five exams within this time period, will prevent the immigrant from obtaining a permanent residency permit. And can also be enforced by stiff fines.

Those immigrants might not have the intention to actually learn the language, but in this way they are at the very least guided to learn the basics. So that "neuk maatje" is a term they might even know....