SQL's shortcomings aren't just syntax and the convention of SCREAMING KEYWORDS. There's the lack of algebraic types (particularly galling given the bizarre three-value boolean algebra created by its strange null-handling), the poor composability (why is creating a reusable predicate filter so hard?), the lack of any coherent module system, etc.

The fact that something as simple as a tree is such a nuisance in a "relational" database is ludicrous.