[Sonata]

If you're looking to create a dynamic language with reasonable performance, you could look at implementing it with RPython [1], which is used for PyPy, or for the Parrot VM [2], which is used for Perl 6.

Once it becomes a little more mature, Zeta VM [3] may also be a good target.

[1] https://rpython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

[2] http://www.parrot.org/

[3] https://github.com/zetavm/zetavm

[throwaway7645]

I don't think Parrot has been used in some time. Now P6 has the Rakudo distribution using the MoarVM I think. It's always confused me a bit.

[sitkack]

Another option is to target Lua. The C version runs everywhere and the LuaJIT version is super fast.