I agree with machrider that it depends on what you want to do with the language. Since you're browsing HN, I assume that the most likely scenario is to create either a website or IOS/Android app.
Website: I would recommend Ruby or Python and the use of http://learncodethehardway.org/. Both languages provide low-friction introductions to programming, and have large communities focused on web development.
IOS App: Objective-C is the smoothest choice at the moment, but it (and IOS development in general) have steep learning curves.
Android: Java is the language for you, and there are tons of introductory materials for learning it. But the learning curve here will be fairly steep as well.
