Perl is a language that can be learned by use. This is by design: http://www.wall.org/~larry/natural.html

There is every reason to expect you can learn a little, try it, improve it, learn more, learn better, and repeat ad infinitum. Being part of a small "study group" helps, as does studying how other, more experienced, programmers do things (the CPAN is a free treasure trove in this regard).

Start a discussion group somewhere like groups.google.com and let me know, I'll be happy to join in.

Michael
http://www.perlcircus.org/