[rzzzwilson]

I'd say start with C because it is closer to the hardware and it's simpler to learn than C++. You will find it easier to pick up C++ later if that is required.

If you know a few other languages it shouldn't take 8 months to become at least proficient at C, so you might then try another language that really stretches your brain. Something like Haskell or even a Lisp. After a language that gets closer to the hardware like C try something very abstract and high level. That's why I mention Lisp above. Reading SICP [0] made me realise just how much of a logical system you can synthesize from almost nothing.

[0] Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structure_and_Interpretation_o...