I actually think that PHPs syntax is good (in the main), it seems to fit with the way my thought process works and I'm incredibly efficient with it. It's different from many other languages syntax, it's verbose in places and not as "intellectually pleasing" as some, but for getting work done (at least for developers like me) its hard to beat. It's not that I haven't been exposed to other languages, I did a degree in computer science and have worked for 12 years in the industry (formally commercial, latterly academic) using assorted different languages. But since I discovered it, to this day I still prefer PHP, in large part due to the syntax.
And I think it is largely untrue to say that there is a lack of attention to other aspects of the language, particularly recently. The focus on performance increases, changes to the internals to implement new features (albeit often via a syntax-first approach!) and the current discussions around the future of PHP (PHP6 and Zend Engine 3) which aren't by any measure solely about syntax show that there is a wider appreciation of different aspects of the language.
PHP has a different focus from many languages, and that is why some people leave (or don't start in the first place) and find a language that is better suited for them. But for a large number of us it is a useful hammer that hits our particular nails right on the head, and that's not a bad thing.
And I think it is largely untrue to say that there is a lack of attention to other aspects of the language, particularly recently. The focus on performance increases, changes to the internals to implement new features (albeit often via a syntax-first approach!) and the current discussions around the future of PHP (PHP6 and Zend Engine 3) which aren't by any measure solely about syntax show that there is a wider appreciation of different aspects of the language.
PHP has a different focus from many languages, and that is why some people leave (or don't start in the first place) and find a language that is better suited for them. But for a large number of us it is a useful hammer that hits our particular nails right on the head, and that's not a bad thing.