Pick a language which does what you want and has syntax you like. You say you can already read C, and C can do pretty much anything. So that's a good start. Then think about what you actually want to do and then Google for examples. In my experience that's a really good way to learn the functions of the language, and since you already know the syntax you should be writing your own code before you know it once you have learned the functions you need by looking at examples.
Edit - Make sure you are using a decent IDE. An environment which offers code completion makes things *much* easier. When you can see the possible functions you can use as you are typing, and then see the arguments for that function, you can blag it. For example, I was recently writing some VB (which I have never used before). I needed to use some socket functions. I started typing, and the IDE completed the name of the function for me and popped up the arguments. So I could use the functions without ever using them before or having to look it up.
--
moto
