[rwmj]

Exactly this.

Trying to write pure functions in a standard language is completely the wrong approach. You might as well say, tie one hand behind your back and try to write with the other hand.

Many functional languages don't require pure functions.

Many functional languages have garbage collectors, and they are fundamental for writing pure functional data structures. (It's almost impossible to properly emulate this in, say C, especially if your structures have cycles)

Many functional languages have other great features like type inference, macros, data patterns and more. Just using an existing language won't give you any taste for these.

[eru]

> Many functional languages don't require pure functions.

Yes. Though I would suggest a newcomer to pick a language that requires purity, in order to make the transition cleaner.