I don't think that's true with Perl at least, unless something has changed dramatically very recently.
69 karma · joined October 23, 2012
https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GDPC1
Edit: To elaborate, the rantings of one economist who has been wrong many times over does not make for a compelling work.
I also don't think the addition of a more mainstream object system is a positive thing, but that's a debate for another time.
Edit: And it's not just about sigils, but about changing things for no meaningful reason, especially things that set Perl apart and make it what it is.
It's all there.
Edit: I just mean the tone the study writer takes is ridiculous. It is good to know that goto is used thoughtfully.