I think C may be inappropriate for my friend, but something like Python/Ruby/Java might not be. I am interested in Python myself, and I am currently downloading it to try. I have no personal experience with it though to base a recommendation on, but from what I have read I think it would be a good language to start with.
Python is an excellent beginner's langauge. There are a couple of good "intro to programming using python" books that are availbale free online.
Don't know about Ruby, but I've heard good things. Not as popular as Python though.
I'd advise to stay away from Java as a first language. But it is good to learn later - and won't be hard to learn if you're already proficient in python.
Cheers, Carl.
