What is the best language for a beginner to start learning programming?

Forget about things like Python, Perl, TCL, R, or other scripting languages. They are tools to make life easier later. To LEARN, you want to be using lower level languages so that you develop an understanding of the foundation of well crafted applications.

"C" is a little too low-level to call it a good teaching tool. C++ is heavily used but somewhat arcane. I start students with C#. After mastering C# then to improve performance learn C++. Leave "C" for systems engineers.

Java is for business applications and is sufficiently close to C# in its philosophy that it's understandable and you should learn it as well.