When people ask what language to learn first, I say JavaScript. The runtime is on everyone's machine, everyone can run your software.

This emphasizes that the point of writing software is to create something for people to use. Any other language requires them to install software on their system. But JavaScript gives you immediate access to everyone who uses any make or model desktop computer, laptop, or mobile phone, in one language, one runtime, nothing to install.

Really hard to beat that.

PS: Yes it's a bizarre language, but show me one that isn't.