Perl has unique flexibility that actually is conducive to learning code. The speed with which a new programmer can see the results of code (even if it's not what they expected) gives the novice a sense of satisfaction and direction for what needs to be corrected. Many languages create the priority for deciphering error messages over learning syntax. Perl will just puke out what ever you put in.

Small children burn there tounge when learning what 'hot' really means, but they learn the lesson instantly. Perl pours hot coffee into a programmers lap, and teaches not to do that again in a most efficient manner.

Other languages require the learning of programatic philosophies based upon the unseen expirience of the language developers. Perl hands the keys over for you to figure it out for yourself.

It depends upon how a novice best learns as to what language is best to learn on. To make perl a 'black art' is great for exposing the 'hubris' of the perl mindset, but behind the curtain it's just plain fun and all perl people know it :)