That is interesting how programming languages become a matter of taste.

For example, my own take is a bit different, and I'd definitely started from defining computational properties of the language before going to it's syntax.

What may entertain, is that some researches used scientific approach to getting the programming language most usable for humans: https://quorumlanguage.com/

They call it evidence-based programming, and it's syntax should be godo for beginners as well as professionals. While I personally do not agree with getting perfect salad based on helthiest ingredients, but it's probably must read for all would be programming language designers. (and no, it does not use curly brackets ;-)