The first implementation is a simple Perl preprocessor. If feasible, perhaps eventually some of this will be converted to LaTeX macros, perhaps using the "perltex" LaTeX package.
The new language does not aim to be backwards-compatible (i.e. some real LaTeX would not pass unchanged through the preprocessor, although most would). Eventually, however, a conversion utility will be written to simplify normal LaTeX source into the new extended language ("easylatex").
The emphasis is on convenience, not on completeness or correctness. It is understood that some things will not be able to be expressed in easylatex, and that easylatex will not be able to handle certain edge cases. Easylatex will not be as powerful as Latex. The aim, though, is that for 95% of the things that the user wants to do, they can do it is easylatex, and the other 5% of the the time they'll have to use the more correct & complete (but more laborious) LaTeX syntax.