Its that time again (suggest a language)

What's the best language for a complete beginner to pick up and learn?

I'm able to read through sources in various languages and understand whats happening on a fundamental level.

I want to learn a language over the next 3~5 months and i cant make any informed desicions on which.

Suggest the language best suited to an entry level programmer.

IN BEFORE SHITSTORM

Ideally, your programming toolbox should contain a lot of languages which you use depending on the situation.  With all of the languages mentioned below, learn how to write GOOD code. Working or correct code is not good enough.

Learn Scheme. It will make you a better programmer for the rest of your days. Honestly. Read this book: http://www.htdp.org/

After that, if you find yourself able to stomach lesser languages, go for either Ruby or Python. Both are modern languages, easy to grasp, and have a large selection of libraries & tutorials available (these days). They're also fast enough for most applications, despite what you might hear some low-level fanatics say.

At this stage, learning a new language should not be a huge challenge anymore. When you know your way around one or two languages very well, similiar languages are easy to learn. Try out different coding paradigms.

Now learn C or C++. Try to understand how the computer really works at low level. Learn x86 assembler.

Try out Haskell and Prolog for variation. They're different from mainstream languages. Also, have a look at Erlang.

By now, you should be able to proceed without guidance.