I think the fundamental problem is that if you want to talk to databases, you have to speak SQL. Like Javascript on the web, you are stuck with what the platform provides. Both languages have significant deficiencies, yet is/was the only game in town.

Sure, there are some languages which can compile down to SQL, but like Typescript, every once and a while, you find some edge case where the transpilation fails you and you might as well be an expert in SQL.

I love all of the ideas of PRQL, but I do not know if I would be painting myself into a corner adopting something that will go the way of CoffeeScript.