The first "real programming language" I learned was Pascal. This was back in the 90s. Switching to C was like taking off a straight-jacket. I think it's hard to explain how much more freely you were able to code to someone who didn't go through the experience. Pascal was derogatorily referred to as a "Bondage and Discipline Language" by C programmers.

Of course I've matured a bit and I see a value in discipline and having the language get in the way of doing error prone things more now, but even so I'd still choose K&R 2nd edition ANSI C over late 80s and early 90s vintage Pascal if I had to pick one today.