diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 954659e..4e8f276 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -50,6 +50,21 @@ LightDM or audio, restart a reader, or create a restricted login mode.
 Native X11 grab-window regression:
 `python3 tests/native_test_session.py env CTHULHU_NATIVE_GRAB_FOREGROUND=1 go test ./internal/platform/xorg -run '^TestNativeInputOnlyGrabForeground$' -count=1`.
 
+## Speech interruption
+
+Incoming announcements queue in order. Focus, selection, state changes,
+notifications, tooltips and terminal output let earlier speech finish.
+Passive announcements also queue behind Say All. A new key press or reader
+command stops earlier speech and clears its pending announcements. Delayed
+copies of the key that started a command preserve that command's response.
+
+Screen lock, shutdown, speech configuration changes and explicit stop requests
+retain their lifecycle behavior. Existing Tentacle requests marked
+uninterruptible retain their bounded protection. The speech queue remains
+bounded against excessive output.
+See [speech queue verification](docs/testing/speech-queue.md) for automated
+checks and the listening procedure.
+
 ## Key echo
 
 The Key Echo preferences page offers three radio choices: Disable key echo,
diff --git a/docs/testing/speech-queue.md b/docs/testing/speech-queue.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ef0585
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/testing/speech-queue.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# Speech queue verification
+
+Ordinary output always appends. Cancellation belongs to physical key input,
+reader command dispatch and explicit stop requests. An announcement arriving
+later from the same action must let earlier speech finish. This includes focus,
+selection, state, notification and delayed review output. Accepted Tentacle
+speech follows the same rule when its originating focus/session retires;
+admission still rejects stale replies and Braille retains its own ownership.
+External `SpeakText` announcements also queue regardless of their interrupt
+flag; `CancelSpeech` remains an explicit stop request.
+
+Run:
+
+```sh
+go test ./internal/app ./internal/input ./internal/speech -count=1
+python3 tests/check_speech.py
+go build -o /tmp/cthulhu-radio-sound ./cmd/cthulhu
+CTHULHU_BINARY=/tmp/cthulhu-radio-sound CTHULHU_PREFS_RADIO_RUNTIME_ONLY=1 /usr/bin/python3 tests/native_preferences.py
+```
+
+The required radio-selection test sends Laptop focus and checked-state events
+through the event loop and speech worker, with a controlled backend that fails
+on an unexpected cancellation. Existing tests cover the cancellation barrier,
+Say All, key echo voice ordering, initiating-key timestamps, title repeats,
+screen lock, internal UI and Tentacle output. These checks establish software
+ordering, without proving audible completion or physical input on a Pi.
+
+The private GTK radio test drives Right/Left between Desktop and Laptop. It
+requires one selected sound per move, with the label retained. It uses private
+Xvfb, D-Bus and a fake speech server; GStreamer auto audio is restricted to the
+fake audio sink in the child reader. It never uses the desktop speech server or
+audio devices. Debug sound records identify playback attempts, not audible
+output. GStreamer's Python bindings and `fakeaudiosink` are required.
+
+Unchecked radio focus sounds wait up to 250 milliseconds for a following
+checked event. That event replaces the pending sound immediately. Speech and
+Braille remain immediate, and a radio that stays unchecked gets its original
+unchecked cue. Fresh input, changed focus/window, lock and handoff retire the
+pending cue. Native state-only snapshots retain the owned mnemonic so a
+repeated focus event does not replay the selected sound and label.
+
+Before submission, review the diff and rebuild the reader. Restart the active
+reader only with the user's authorization. Then listen on the target desktop
+and Pi:
+
+1. In keyboard preferences, change Desktop to Laptop, release the key and wait.
+   Laptop should finish, followed by the role/state announcements. Repeat in
+   the other direction and test radio buttons, checkboxes and combo boxes.
+2. During a long announcement, press Control. Repeat with typing, an arrow,
+   Tab and a reader command. Old speech and its queued feedback should stop;
+   the new action should speak normally. Releasing keys should leave speech
+   alone. Test rapid presses and held arrows, including automatic titles.
+3. Leave a long announcement playing while a notification or terminal output
+   arrives. Both should finish in order. Repeat during Say All, then stop it
+   with a fresh key and check that the reading position has stopped advancing.
+4. With a custom echo voice, press Right in an entry. The key name should finish
+   before the caret character. A new key should still stop stale feedback.
+5. Exercise browser navigation, Where Am I, action/list dialogs and preferences
+   Apply. Check that each fresh command responds promptly and delayed results
+   preserve announcements from the same action. Check Braille focus/state and
+   confirmation restoration separately.
+
+Screen lock still clears speech for privacy. Disabling speech, replacing its
+configuration/backend and shutdown retain their existing behavior. Protected
+Tentacle messages retain their explicit timeout and cancellation rules. The
+bounded queue can discard pending requests on overflow and logs that loss.
diff --git a/internal/app/browser_lists.go b/internal/app/browser_lists.go
index 0fc8bbb..21fdd02 100644
--- a/internal/app/browser_lists.go
+++ b/internal/app/browser_lists.go
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ func (ui *internalUI) browserListMessage(message string) {
 	if ui.gate.Locked() || ui.gate.Suspended() {
 		return
 	}
-	ui.speech.Interrupt()
 	ui.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: message, Role: "system", Cause: "browser-list"})
 	if ui.braille != nil {
 		ui.braille.EnqueueMessage(message)
diff --git a/internal/app/browser_mode.go b/internal/app/browser_mode.go
index 343d463..b4acf81 100644
--- a/internal/app/browser_mode.go
+++ b/internal/app/browser_mode.go
@@ -247,9 +247,6 @@ func (browser *browserModeController) set(mode review.DocumentMode, speech speec
 		text = "Focus mode"
 		cue = "focus_mode"
 	}
-	if manual {
-		speech.Interrupt()
-	}
 	// Append automatic changes so they do not replace the focused control.
 	speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Sound: []sound.Cue{{Name: cue}}, Cause: "document-mode", Append: !manual})
 }
@@ -466,6 +463,5 @@ func (browser *browserModeController) sticky(mode review.DocumentMode, speech sp
 	if mode == review.FocusMode {
 		text = "Focus mode is sticky."
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Cause: "document-mode"})
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/character_attributes.go b/internal/app/character_attributes.go
index b0331fd..dcc7703 100644
--- a/internal/app/character_attributes.go
+++ b/internal/app/character_attributes.go
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@ func presentCharacterAttributes(speech speechEnqueuer, result characterAttribute
 			message = "No text attributes to speak."
 		}
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: message, Role: "system", Cause: "character-attributes"})
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/app/clipboard.go b/internal/app/clipboard.go
index 9e767f7..c4be918 100644
--- a/internal/app/clipboard.go
+++ b/internal/app/clipboard.go
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ func runClipboardWorker(ctx context.Context, requests <-chan struct{}, speech sp
 				if err == nil {
 					message = result
 				}
-				speech.Interrupt()
 				speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: message, Role: "system", Cause: "clipboard"})
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/internal/app/clipboard_test.go b/internal/app/clipboard_test.go
index a0142aa..2129cca 100644
--- a/internal/app/clipboard_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/clipboard_test.go
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ func TestClipboardWorkerAnnouncesContentAndAccessError(t *testing.T) {
 			case <-time.After(time.Second):
 				t.Fatal("clipboard announcement missing")
 			}
-			if len(speech.interrupt) != 1 {
-				t.Fatal("clipboard announcement did not interrupt prior speech")
+			if len(speech.interrupt) != 0 {
+				t.Fatal("clipboard result interrupted earlier speech")
 			}
 			cancel()
 			select {
diff --git a/internal/app/command_input_test.go b/internal/app/command_input_test.go
index 77ceaf1..65c05b0 100644
--- a/internal/app/command_input_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/command_input_test.go
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestCommandSpeechSurvivesDelayedInitiatingInput(t *testing.T) {
 					t.Fatalf("command interrupted by initiating input at %d", timestamp)
 				}
 			}
-			if len(worker.pending) != 1 || worker.generation != 0 {
+			if len(worker.pending) != 1 || worker.generation != 1 {
 				t.Fatal("command speech was discarded")
 			}
 			if !worker.InterruptForInput(input.Event{Pressed: true, Timestamp: 101}) || len(worker.pending) != 0 {
diff --git a/internal/app/control_events_test.go b/internal/app/control_events_test.go
index cceabd5..30ab9b9 100644
--- a/internal/app/control_events_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/control_events_test.go
@@ -298,3 +298,30 @@ func TestFocusedTreeSelectionStateChangesRemainAudible(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// Drive focus and checked-state events through the real event loop and speech
+// worker. The backend call stays in flight while the selection arrives, so any
+// automatic CANCEL (including one after SPEAK returns) fails the expected order.
+func TestSpeechWorkerRadioSelectionDoesNotCancelLabel(t *testing.T) {
+	logger := slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)
+	speaker := &controlledSpeaker{calls: make(chan speechCall, 8)}
+	worker := newSpeechWorker(logger, speaker)
+	if err := worker.Start(t.Context()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
+	adapter := &fakeAdapter{events: make(chan atspi.Event, 2)}
+	option := atspi.Snapshot{BusName: ":1.7", Path: "/option", Name: "Laptop", Role: "radio button"}
+	adapter.events <- atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, option)
+	option.Checked = true
+	selected := atspi.NewEvent("object:state-changed:checked", option)
+	selected.Detail1 = 1
+	adapter.events <- selected
+	close(adapter.events)
+	if err := processEvents(t.Context(), logger, worker, adapter, 0); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"Laptop", "radio button", "not selected", "selected"} {
+		close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, want).done)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/app/date_time.go b/internal/app/date_time.go
index 6bf89ff..ff9ebaa 100644
--- a/internal/app/date_time.go
+++ b/internal/app/date_time.go
@@ -21,6 +21,5 @@ func presentDateTime(speech speechEnqueuer, settings config.Settings, command in
 	} else {
 		text, _ = datetime.FormatTime(settings.TimeFormat, now)
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Cause: cause})
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/date_time_test.go b/internal/app/date_time_test.go
index 9422e2b..2a40402 100644
--- a/internal/app/date_time_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/date_time_test.go
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ func TestDateTimeFormats(t *testing.T) {
 		if got := <-queue.spoken; got != tc.want {
 			t.Errorf("%s: %q want %q", tc.format, got, tc.want)
 		}
-		if len(queue.interrupt) != 1 {
-			t.Fatal("command did not interrupt")
+		if len(queue.interrupt) != 0 {
+			t.Fatal("delayed command result interrupted speech again")
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/document_review.go b/internal/app/document_review.go
index 90a9cf6..15cbe11 100644
--- a/internal/app/document_review.go
+++ b/internal/app/document_review.go
@@ -286,7 +286,6 @@ func presentDocumentCaretResult(logger *slog.Logger, speech speechEnqueuer, resu
 		fallbackSpeech := presentation.DocumentLineSpeechWithOptions(line, fallback)
 		request.FallbackText, request.FallbackChunks = fallbackSpeech.Text, fallbackSpeech.Chunks
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	if request.Text == "" && len(request.Sound) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
@@ -452,7 +451,6 @@ func presentDocumentResult(logger *slog.Logger, speech speechEnqueuer, result re
 			logger.Warn("document caret synchronization failed", "error", result.CaretErr)
 		}
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	voiceType := ancestor_voice(result.DocumentCaretContext)
 	if result.DocumentPosition.LinkedHeading != nil {
 		voiceType = "hyperlink"
diff --git a/internal/app/document_review_test.go b/internal/app/document_review_test.go
index 5b06e4d..0a35fb6 100644
--- a/internal/app/document_review_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/document_review_test.go
@@ -73,10 +73,8 @@ func TestDocumentPresentation(t *testing.T) {
 		if got := <-queue.spoken; got != tc.want {
 			t.Fatalf("got %q want %q", got, tc.want)
 		}
-		select {
-		case <-queue.interrupt:
-		default:
-			t.Fatal("did not interrupt speech")
+		if len(queue.interrupt) != 0 {
+			t.Fatal("delayed document result interrupted speech again")
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/event_accessibility.go b/internal/app/event_accessibility.go
index 63e37b3..ee5811e 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_accessibility.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_accessibility.go
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ func (handler *accessibilityEventHandler) handle(event atspi.Event) {
 			"focused", event.Source.Focused,
 			"browser_tab", event.Source.BrowserTab,
 			"selected", event.Source.Selected,
+			"checked", event.Source.Checked,
 			"radio_group_name", event.Source.RadioGroupName,
 			"prompt_message_present", event.Source.Text != "" && (event.Source.Role == "frame" || event.Source.Role == "alert") || event.WindowMessage != "",
 			"snapshot_duration", event.SnapshotDuration,
@@ -217,7 +218,6 @@ func (handler *accessibilityEventHandler) handle(event atspi.Event) {
 		status := strings.TrimSpace(event.Source.Name)
 		if state.lastFileManagerStatusWindow != state.owner.window || status != state.lastFileManagerStatus {
 			state.lastFileManagerStatusWindow, state.lastFileManagerStatus = state.owner.window, status
-			speech.Interrupt()
 			speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: status, Role: "status bar", Cause: event.Type})
 			if brailleOutput != nil {
 				brailleOptions := config.DefaultSettings().Braille
diff --git a/internal/app/event_focus.go b/internal/app/event_focus.go
index 53da3b2..4adb7aa 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_focus.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_focus.go
@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ func (handler *accessibilityEventHandler) acceptFocusedEvent(event atspi.Event,
 	browser := handler.browser
 	brailleOutput := handler.brailleOutput
 	live := handler.live
+	// Native state-only captures omit mnemonic lookup. Preserve the owned
+	// value so GTK's following focus event compares against the same metadata
+	// and does not replay the just-announced state sound and label.
+	if isStateChangeEvent(event.Type) && event.Source.ID() == state.current.ID() &&
+		event.Source.Role == state.current.Role && event.Source.Mnemonic == "" {
+		event.Source.Mnemonic = state.current.Mnemonic
+	}
 	// Compare with the owned focus snapshot, not the last speech request:
 	// a state/value update can intervene between two toolkit focus events.
 	// Still refresh review and braille below before suppressing presentation.
diff --git a/internal/app/event_focus_ownership.go b/internal/app/event_focus_ownership.go
index 1598f30..e0e111e 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_focus_ownership.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_focus_ownership.go
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ func (handler *accessibilityEventHandler) acceptFocusOwnership(event atspi.Event
 					text += event.WindowMessage
 				}
 				if text != "" {
-					speech.Interrupt()
 					speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "frame", Cause: event.Type,
 						Window: eventWindow(event), IntroducesWindow: true,
 						ExcludeFromHistory: state.historyWindow.Valid() && eventWindow(event) == state.historyWindow})
diff --git a/internal/app/event_loop.go b/internal/app/event_loop.go
index 339dc7b..d93b564 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_loop.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_loop.go
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ func processEventsWithAttributes(
 		// Wine control revisions reset object review, but a pending title and
 		// its duplicate history belong to the foreground window's lifetime.
 		// These notices carry metadata, not an instruction to stop speech.
-		// Foreground switches and user input already own speech cancellation.
+		// User input owns speech cancellation; metadata changes preserve it.
 		clearWineReviewFocus := func() {
 			ocrSession.Retire()
 			state.clearObjectFocus(brailleOutput, browser, objectReview)
@@ -299,6 +299,9 @@ func processEventsWithAttributes(
 		case <-state.pending.browserButtonName.ready:
 			syncForeground()
 			eventHandler.flush_browser_button_name()
+		case <-state.pending.radioSound.ready:
+			syncForeground()
+			presenter.flush_radio_sound(focusGate)
 		case <-state.pending.caret.ready:
 			if focusGate.Locked() {
 				state.pending.clear()
diff --git a/internal/app/event_notification.go b/internal/app/event_notification.go
index 9645a2d..246188b 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_notification.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_notification.go
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 )
 
 func presentNotifications(speech speechEnqueuer, messages []string) {
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	for _, message := range messages {
 		// Notifications remain audible while XTerm owns keyboard handling.
 		// The output gate still rejects these requests during screen lock.
@@ -53,7 +52,6 @@ func (announcer *notificationAnnouncer) Announce(entry notification.Entry) {
 		Urgency:          entry.Urgency,
 		DesktopEntry:     entry.DesktopEntry,
 	})
-	announcer.speech.Interrupt()
 	message := entry.Message
 	if announcer.live != nil && !announcer.live.Load().Reading.MessagesAreDetailed && entry.Summary != "" {
 		message = entry.Summary
diff --git a/internal/app/event_presentation.go b/internal/app/event_presentation.go
index 83475d5..c10e5c0 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_presentation.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_presentation.go
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ func (presenter *eventPresenter) speak(event atspi.Event, capturedIntent ...inpu
 		// The control's own focus event will present its role and cue.
 		cues = nil
 	}
+	cues = presenter.coalesce_radio_sound(event, cues)
 	cueParts := make([]string, 0, len(cues))
 	for _, cue := range cues {
 		cueParts = append(cueParts, cue.Name+":"+strconv.FormatFloat(cue.Pan, 'g', -1, 64))
diff --git a/internal/app/event_review_results.go b/internal/app/event_review_results.go
index 375e354..d0be47f 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_review_results.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_review_results.go
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ func (handler *eventReviewHandler) whereAmI() {
 		text = "Could not find current location."
 		role = "system"
 	}
-	handler.speech.Interrupt()
 	handler.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Chunks: spoken.WithText(text).Chunks, Role: role, Cause: "where-am-i"})
 	handler.logger.Debug("queued where am I presentation", "role", role)
 }
@@ -137,7 +136,6 @@ func (handler *eventReviewHandler) handle(result review.Result) {
 		fallbackOptions := state.presentationOptions
 		fallbackOptions.RoleSoundPresentation = "sound_and_speech"
 		fallback := presentation.DocumentLineSpeechWithOptions(result.DocumentLineData, fallbackOptions)
-		speech.Interrupt()
 		if text == "" && len(cues) == 0 {
 			return
 		}
@@ -262,7 +260,6 @@ func presentObjectReviewResult(logger *slog.Logger, speech speechEnqueuer, resul
 			role = "system"
 		}
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Chunks: spoken.WithText(text).Chunks, Role: role, Cause: "object-review"})
 	logger.Debug("queued object review presentation", "direction", result.Direction.String(), "moved", result.Moved, "role", role)
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/event_state.go b/internal/app/event_state.go
index fd4d1d2..39ae0c5 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_state.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_state.go
@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ func (state *eventLoopState) ownedAutocompletePopup(event atspi.Event) bool {
 // closure. Session presentation history and chrome load verification survive.
 func (state *eventLoopState) clearOwnedFocus(brailleOutput brailleFrameEnqueuer, browser *browserModeController, objectReview *review.Worker, speech speechEnqueuer) {
 	state.clearObjectFocus(brailleOutput, browser, objectReview)
-	speech.Interrupt()
 }
 
 // Review metadata can change without new input or a foreground switch. Reset
diff --git a/internal/app/event_tooltip.go b/internal/app/event_tooltip.go
index 6039be8..d9cb1d7 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_tooltip.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_tooltip.go
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ func (handler *accessibilityEventHandler) handleTooltip(event atspi.Event) bool
 	options := presentationSettingsFromConfig(handler.live.Load(), true)
 	spoken := presentation.FocusSpeechWithOptions(event.Source, options)
 	if text := strings.TrimSpace(spoken.Text); text != "" && text != "tool tip" {
-		handler.speech.Interrupt()
 		handler.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Chunks: spoken.WithText(text).Chunks, Role: "system", Cause: "tooltip"})
 	}
 	return true
diff --git a/internal/app/flat_review.go b/internal/app/flat_review.go
index f8f2d73..c234928 100644
--- a/internal/app/flat_review.go
+++ b/internal/app/flat_review.go
@@ -80,7 +80,6 @@ func presentFlatReviewResult(logger *slog.Logger, speech speechEnqueuer, result
 	} else {
 		text = presentation.FlatReviewText(result.FlatPosition.Text, result.FlatUnit == review.Character || result.FlatUnit == review.LineEnd)
 	}
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	request := speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "text", Cause: "flat-review", Character: result.Err == nil && (result.FlatUnit == review.Character || result.FlatUnit == review.LineEnd)}
 	if result.Err == nil && result.FlatUnit == review.Line {
 		request.Line = &speechLine{Object: result.FlatPosition.Object, Raw: result.FlatPosition.Text}
diff --git a/internal/app/focus_gate.go b/internal/app/focus_gate.go
index 9bacfb3..d6a6f7c 100644
--- a/internal/app/focus_gate.go
+++ b/internal/app/focus_gate.go
@@ -64,12 +64,6 @@ func (gate *focusGate) SetSuspended(suspended bool) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 	gate.retireTentacleOutput()
-	if suspended {
-		gate.tentacleOutput.Stop()
-	}
-	if suspended && !gate.secure.Load() && gate.speech != nil {
-		gate.speech.Interrupt()
-	}
 	if gate.commands != nil {
 		gate.commands.SetCommandGrabs(!suspended && !gate.secure.Load())
 	}
diff --git a/internal/app/i38lock_feedback_native_test.go b/internal/app/i38lock_feedback_native_test.go
index e1ad895..ed52e8e 100644
--- a/internal/app/i38lock_feedback_native_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/i38lock_feedback_native_test.go
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ int main(void) {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			t.Fatal("presentation did not complete")
 		}
-		if got := presenter.interrupts.Load(); got != int32(index+1) {
+		if got := presenter.interrupts.Load(); got != 0 {
 			t.Fatalf("feedback %d interrupts=%d", index, got)
 		}
 		if got := display.current().Text; got != message {
diff --git a/internal/app/internal_ui.go b/internal/app/internal_ui.go
index 74b8c3b..7a64559 100644
--- a/internal/app/internal_ui.go
+++ b/internal/app/internal_ui.go
@@ -122,11 +122,6 @@ func (ui *internalUI) present(output interaction.Presentation) {
 	if ui.gate.Locked() || ui.gate.Suspended() {
 		return
 	}
-	if speech, ok := ui.speech.(interface{ InterruptInternalUI() }); ok {
-		speech.InterruptInternalUI()
-	} else {
-		ui.speech.Interrupt()
-	}
 	if output.Speech != "" {
 		ui.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: output.Speech, Role: "system", Cause: "internal-ui"})
 	}
@@ -150,11 +145,6 @@ func (ui *internalUI) run(ctx context.Context) {
 			closeErr = ui.keys.EndInternalUI(closeCtx, sessionID)
 			cancel()
 		}
-		if speech, ok := ui.speech.(interface{ InterruptInternalUI() }); ok {
-			speech.InterruptInternalUI()
-		} else {
-			ui.speech.Interrupt()
-		}
 		if ui.braille != nil {
 			ui.braille.SetInternalUIFrame(nil)
 		}
@@ -263,7 +253,6 @@ func (ui *internalUI) run(ctx context.Context) {
 					if err != nil {
 						message = "Actions unavailable"
 					}
-					ui.speech.Interrupt()
 					ui.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: message, Role: "system", Cause: "internal-ui"})
 					if ui.braille != nil {
 						ui.braille.EnqueueMessage(message)
diff --git a/internal/app/learn_mode.go b/internal/app/learn_mode.go
index 891eca9..867f872 100644
--- a/internal/app/learn_mode.go
+++ b/internal/app/learn_mode.go
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ func (presenter *learnModePresenter) handle(event input.CommandEvent) {
 		if entering {
 			presenter.active = true
 			presenter.lastTime = 0
-			presenter.speech.Interrupt()
 			presenter.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: version.String(), Role: "system", Cause: "learn-mode"})
 			presenter.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: learnModeInstructions, Role: "system", Cause: "learn-mode"})
 			presenter.braille.EnqueueMessage("Learn mode. Press Escape, Cthulhu H, or Cthulhu F1 to exit.")
@@ -79,7 +78,6 @@ func (presenter *learnModePresenter) key(event input.CommandEvent) {
 	if !presenter.active {
 		return
 	}
-	presenter.speech.Interrupt()
 	name := spokenLearnKey(event)
 	presenter.present(name, "learn-key")
 	settings := presenter.live.Load()
diff --git a/internal/app/learn_mode_test.go b/internal/app/learn_mode_test.go
index 7c9b23d..1bc11d9 100644
--- a/internal/app/learn_mode_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/learn_mode_test.go
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestLearnModePresentsKeyCommandsWithoutExecutingThem(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("phonetic double press = %q", got)
 	}
 	presenter.handle(input.CommandEvent{Command: input.ToggleLearnMode, Chord: input.CommandChord{Symbol: 'h', CthulhuModifier: true}, KeyName: "h"})
-	if presenter.active || speech.texts[len(speech.texts)-1] != "Exiting learn mode." || speech.interrupts < 4 {
+	if presenter.active || speech.texts[len(speech.texts)-1] != "Exiting learn mode." || speech.interrupts != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("exit speech=%q interrupts=%d", speech.texts, speech.interrupts)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/libreoffice.go b/internal/app/libreoffice.go
index 1726568..26f7751 100644
--- a/internal/app/libreoffice.go
+++ b/internal/app/libreoffice.go
@@ -100,6 +100,5 @@ func (handler *eventReviewHandler) presentCellFormula() {
 	handler.syncForeground()
 	handler.state.pending.clear()
 	text := presentation.LibreOfficeFormulaText(handler.state.current)
-	handler.speech.Interrupt()
 	handler.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Cause: "cell-formula"})
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/libreoffice_headers.go b/internal/app/libreoffice_headers.go
index 9df2033..433fb26 100644
--- a/internal/app/libreoffice_headers.go
+++ b/internal/app/libreoffice_headers.go
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ func (handler *eventReviewHandler) configureCalcHeader(command input.Command) {
 		}
 	}
 	state.pending.clear()
-	handler.speech.Interrupt()
 	handler.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Cause: "calc-headers"})
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/app/libreoffice_selection.go b/internal/app/libreoffice_selection.go
index a0c3c23..f0a5ab9 100644
--- a/internal/app/libreoffice_selection.go
+++ b/internal/app/libreoffice_selection.go
@@ -102,7 +102,6 @@ func (handler *accessibilityEventHandler) handleLibreOfficeSelection(event atspi
 	}
 	if text := strings.Join(messages, " "); text != "" {
 		state.pending.clear()
-		handler.speech.Interrupt()
 		handler.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Cause: "calc-selection"})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/mouse_review.go b/internal/app/mouse_review.go
index 291a1b4..1482626 100644
--- a/internal/app/mouse_review.go
+++ b/internal/app/mouse_review.go
@@ -144,18 +144,12 @@ func mouseReviewService(logger *slog.Logger, adapter pointReviewAdapter, speech
 					state.position = position
 					continue
 				}
-				objectChanged := point.Snapshot.ID() != state.last.Snapshot.ID() || point.Window != state.last.Window
-				dx, dy := position.X-state.position.X, position.Y-state.position.Y
-				interrupt := objectChanged || dx*dx+dy*dy > 25*25
 				spoken := state.presentation(point, settings)
 				message := spoken.Text
 				state.position = position
 				if message == "" {
 					continue
 				}
-				if interrupt {
-					speech.Interrupt()
-				}
 				speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: message, Chunks: spoken.Chunks, Role: point.Snapshot.Role, Cause: "mouse-review"})
 				braille.EnqueueMessage(message)
 				logger.Debug("mouse review presentation", "bus", point.Snapshot.BusName,
diff --git a/internal/app/object_review_events_test.go b/internal/app/object_review_events_test.go
index 7b17f82..d063f71 100644
--- a/internal/app/object_review_events_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/object_review_events_test.go
@@ -68,11 +68,6 @@ func TestProcessEventsWhereAmIRepeatsCurrentFocus(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	reviewRequests <- input.WhereAmI
 	select {
-	case <-speech.interrupt:
-	case <-time.After(time.Second):
-		t.Fatal("where am I did not interrupt stale speech")
-	}
-	select {
 	case text := <-speech.spoken:
 		if text != "Example, button, Runs the example" {
 			t.Fatalf("where am I speech = %q", text)
diff --git a/internal/app/pause_chunks_test.go b/internal/app/pause_chunks_test.go
index c6ec355..b795bb6 100644
--- a/internal/app/pause_chunks_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/pause_chunks_test.go
@@ -28,14 +28,12 @@ func TestPauseChunksInterruptRemainingAnnouncement(t *testing.T) {
 		logger: slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), speech: worker}
 	presenter.state.presentationOptions = presentation.DefaultOptions()
 	presenter.speak(atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, atspi.Snapshot{Name: "Save, draft", Role: "button", Description: "Save document"}))
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 	first := expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Save, draft")
 	worker.InterruptForUser()
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "New focus"})
 	close(first.done)
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done) // Settle the interrupted call.
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done) // Begin the new announcement.
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "New focus").done)
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/app/pending_presentation.go b/internal/app/pending_presentation.go
index 9d8bdd2..ba69b71 100644
--- a/internal/app/pending_presentation.go
+++ b/internal/app/pending_presentation.go
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ type pendingPresentations struct {
 	terminalFocus     pendingPresentation
 	terminalDeletion  pendingPresentation
 	browserButtonName pendingBrowserButtonName
+	radioSound        pendingRadioSound
 }
 
 func (pending *pendingPresentations) clear() {
@@ -56,4 +57,5 @@ func (pending *pendingPresentations) clear() {
 	pending.terminalFocus.clear()
 	pending.terminalDeletion.clear()
 	pending.browserButtonName.clear()
+	pending.radioSound.clear()
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/preferences_echo_preview_test.go b/internal/app/preferences_echo_preview_test.go
index b15f4ee..312e0b1 100644
--- a/internal/app/preferences_echo_preview_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/preferences_echo_preview_test.go
@@ -241,7 +241,6 @@ func TestEchoPreviewFocusSpeechWaitsForBothVoices(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 	worker.Enqueue(echo_preview_speech("Key echo person", "Selected voice"))
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	label := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "default:Key echo person")
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Later control"})
 	select {
@@ -257,7 +256,6 @@ func TestEchoPreviewFocusSpeechWaitsForBothVoices(t *testing.T) {
 	default:
 	}
 	close(value.done)
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Later control").done)
 }
 
@@ -269,7 +267,6 @@ func TestEchoPreviewFocusSpeechRemainsInterruptible(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 	worker.Enqueue(echo_preview_speech("Key echo person", "Selected voice"))
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	label := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "default:Key echo person")
 	close(label.done)
 	value := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "echo:Selected voice")
diff --git a/internal/app/preferences_feedback_test.go b/internal/app/preferences_feedback_test.go
index 44a405c..47da097 100644
--- a/internal/app/preferences_feedback_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/preferences_feedback_test.go
@@ -36,16 +36,13 @@ func TestPreferencesConfirmationSurvivesAutomaticFocusUntilSpeechEnds(t *testing
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Settings applied", Confirmation: true})
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	confirmation := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Settings applied")
-	worker.Interrupt() // The window activated after OK must not cancel feedback.
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Window title"})
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Focused control"})
 	close(confirmation.done) // Represents the synth's END event, not SPEAK acknowledgement.
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Window title").done)
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Focused control").done)
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Later output"})
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Later output").done)
 }
 
@@ -63,7 +60,6 @@ func TestPreferencesConfirmationAllowsUserInterruption(t *testing.T) {
 	gate := &focusGate{braille: display}
 	output := gatedSpeech{speech: worker, gate: gate}
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Settings applied", Confirmation: true})
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	confirmation := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Settings applied")
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Discarded focus"})
 	if !output.InterruptForInput(input.Event{Pressed: true, Name: "Tab", Timestamp: 101}) {
diff --git a/internal/app/radio_sound.go b/internal/app/radio_sound.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a04615
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/app/radio_sound.go
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Storm Dragon
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+package app
+
+import (
+	"time"
+
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/atspi"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/input"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/presentation"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/sound"
+)
+
+const radioFocusSoundDelay = 250 * time.Millisecond
+
+// GTK can focus an unchecked radio before selecting it. Retain one state cue
+// in the event loop while speech and Braille update immediately. A checked
+// event replaces it; focus/input changes, lock and shutdown retire it.
+type pendingRadioSound struct {
+	pendingPresentation
+	inputSequence uint64
+}
+
+func (presenter *eventPresenter) coalesce_radio_sound(event atspi.Event, cues []sound.Cue) []sound.Cue {
+	pending := &presenter.state.pending.radioSound
+	if isFocusGainEvent(event) && event.Source.ID() != pending.event.Source.ID() {
+		pending.clear()
+	}
+	if event.Source.Role != "radio button" {
+		return cues
+	}
+	if event.Type == "object:state-changed:checked" || event.Source.Checked {
+		pending.clear()
+		return cues
+	}
+	if !isFocusGainEvent(event) {
+		return cues
+	}
+	for index, cue := range cues {
+		if cue.Name != "radiobutton_unchecked" {
+			continue
+		}
+		sequence := recentInput(presenter.inputSource).InputSequence
+		if pending.event.Source.ID() != event.Source.ID() || pending.inputSequence != sequence || pending.ready == nil {
+			pending.schedule(event, input.NoIntent, radioFocusSoundDelay)
+			pending.inputSequence = sequence
+			presenter.logger.Debug("deferred unchecked radio focus sound")
+		}
+		retained := append([]sound.Cue(nil), cues[:index]...)
+		return append(retained, cues[index+1:]...)
+	}
+	return cues
+}
+
+func (presenter *eventPresenter) flush_radio_sound(gate *focusGate) {
+	pending := &presenter.state.pending.radioSound
+	sequence := pending.inputSequence
+	event, _ := pending.take()
+	state := presenter.state
+	if event.Type == "" || gate.Locked() || gate.Suspended() ||
+		state.focusedID != event.Source.ID() || state.current.ID() != event.Source.ID() ||
+		state.current.Defunct || state.owner.window != eventWindow(event) ||
+		recentInput(presenter.inputSource).InputSequence != sequence {
+		return
+	}
+	options := state.presentationOptions
+	if presenter.live != nil {
+		options = presentationSettingsFromConfig(presenter.live.Load(), true)
+		options.SoundCueAvailable = state.presentationOptions.SoundCueAvailable
+	}
+	event.Type = "object:state-changed:checked"
+	event.Source = state.current
+	// Admission already verified the cue. Let the output queue provide its
+	// normal speech fallback if the asset disappears before delayed playback.
+	options.SoundCueAvailable = nil
+	cues := presentation.EventSoundCues(event, options)
+	if len(cues) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	fallback := presentationFallbackSpeech(event, options)
+	presenter.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Sound: cues, FallbackText: fallback.Text, FallbackChunks: fallback.Chunks,
+		Role: event.Source.Role, Cause: "radio-focus-state"})
+	presenter.logger.Debug("queued settled radio focus sound", "cue", cues[0].Name)
+}
diff --git a/internal/app/radio_sound_test.go b/internal/app/radio_sound_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1e0387
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/app/radio_sound_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Storm Dragon
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+package app
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"log/slog"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/atspi"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/input"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/presentation"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/sound"
+)
+
+func radio_sound_fixture(t *testing.T) (*eventPresenter, *fakeSpeechQueue, func(atspi.Event)) {
+	t.Helper()
+	logger := slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler)
+	state := &eventLoopState{}
+	state.presentationOptions = presentation.DefaultOptions()
+	state.presentationOptions.EnableSound = true
+	state.presentationOptions.PlaySoundForState = true
+	state.presentationOptions.RoleSoundPresentation = "sound_only"
+	queue := &fakeSpeechQueue{spoken: make(chan string, 8), requests: make(chan speechRequest, 8)}
+	presenter := &eventPresenter{state: state, logger: logger, speech: queue}
+	handler := &accessibilityEventHandler{state: state, logger: logger}
+	t.Cleanup(state.pending.clear)
+	return presenter, queue, func(event atspi.Event) {
+		if !handler.acceptFocusedEvent(event, input.Activity{}) {
+			presenter.speak(event)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRadioFocusSoundCoalescesSelectionWithoutDelayingLabel(t *testing.T) {
+	presenter, queue, present := radio_sound_fixture(t)
+	option := atspi.Snapshot{BusName: ":1.7", Path: "/radio", Role: "radio button", Name: "Laptop", Mnemonic: "<Alt>l"}
+	present(atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, option))
+	request := <-queue.requests
+	if !strings.Contains(request.Text, "Laptop") || len(request.Sound) != 0 || presenter.state.pending.radioSound.ready == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("focus label/sound = %+v", request)
+	}
+	// The old member loses selection before GTK checks the focused member.
+	old := option
+	old.Path = "/previous"
+	present(atspi.NewEvent("object:state-changed:checked", old))
+	if len(queue.requests) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("unfocused member emitted a state sound")
+	}
+	option.Checked = true
+	checked := atspi.NewEvent("object:state-changed:checked", option)
+	checked.Source.Mnemonic = "" // State-only native captures skip mnemonic lookup.
+	checked.Detail1 = 1
+	present(checked)
+	request = <-queue.requests
+	if len(request.Sound) != 1 || request.Sound[0].Name != "radiobutton_checked" || presenter.state.pending.radioSound.ready != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("selected sound = %+v", request)
+	}
+	if presenter.state.current.Mnemonic != option.Mnemonic {
+		t.Fatal("state update discarded focus metadata")
+	}
+	present(atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, option))
+	if len(queue.requests) != 0 {
+		t.Fatal("duplicate focus replayed selected sound")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRadioFocusSoundRetiresStalePendingState(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, change := range []string{"none", "focus", "input", "window", "lock", "handoff", "defunct", "disabled"} {
+		t.Run(change, func(t *testing.T) {
+			presenter, queue, present := radio_sound_fixture(t)
+			option := atspi.Snapshot{BusName: ":1.7", Path: "/radio", Role: "radio button", Name: "Option"}
+			present(atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, option))
+			<-queue.requests
+			gate := &focusGate{}
+			switch change {
+			case "focus":
+				present(atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, atspi.Snapshot{BusName: ":1.7", Path: "/next", Role: "button", Name: "Next"}))
+				<-queue.requests
+			case "input":
+				presenter.inputSource = fixedInputActivity{activity: input.Activity{InputSequence: 1}}
+			case "window":
+				presenter.state.owner.window = atspi.NewObjectID(":1.7", "/other")
+			case "lock":
+				gate.secure.Store(true)
+			case "handoff":
+				gate.suspended.Store(true)
+			case "defunct":
+				presenter.state.current.Defunct = true
+			case "disabled":
+				presenter.state.presentationOptions.EnableSound = false
+			}
+			presenter.flush_radio_sound(gate)
+			if change != "none" {
+				if len(queue.requests) != 0 {
+					t.Fatal("retired focus emitted a delayed sound")
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			request := <-queue.requests
+			if request.Text != "" || request.FallbackText != "not selected" || len(request.Sound) != 1 || request.Sound[0].Name != "radiobutton_unchecked" {
+				t.Fatalf("settled unchecked sound/fallback = %+v", request)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProcessEventsFlushesUncheckedRadioSound(t *testing.T) {
+	presenter, queue, _ := radio_sound_fixture(t)
+	adapter := &fakeAdapter{events: make(chan atspi.Event, 1)}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() {
+		done <- processEvents(ctx, presenter.logger, queue, adapter, 0, presenter.state.presentationOptions)
+	}()
+	t.Cleanup(func() { cancel(); <-done })
+	adapter.events <- atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, atspi.Snapshot{BusName: ":1.7", Path: "/radio", Role: "radio button", Name: "Option"})
+	for index := range 2 {
+		select {
+		case request := <-queue.requests:
+			if index == 0 && (request.Text == "" || len(request.Sound) != 0) {
+				t.Fatalf("label was deferred or played unchecked sound: %+v", request)
+			}
+			if index == 1 && (len(request.Sound) != 1 || request.Sound[0] != (sound.Cue{Name: "radiobutton_unchecked"})) {
+				t.Fatalf("unchecked focus sound = %+v", request)
+			}
+		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("radio focus presentation did not finish")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDeferredRadioSoundPreservesUnavailableCueFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	presenter, queue, present := radio_sound_fixture(t)
+	present(atspi.NewEvent(atspi.FocusEvent, atspi.Snapshot{BusName: ":1.7", Path: "/radio", Role: "radio button", Name: "Option"}))
+	<-queue.requests
+	presenter.state.presentationOptions.SoundCueAvailable = func(string) bool { return false }
+	presenter.speech = outputQueue{speech: queue, sounds: rejectingSound{}}
+	presenter.flush_radio_sound(nil)
+	if request := <-queue.requests; request.Text != "not selected" {
+		t.Fatalf("missing state-sound fallback: %+v", request)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/app/read_all_test.go b/internal/app/read_all_test.go
index d874434..fb13622 100644
--- a/internal/app/read_all_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/read_all_test.go
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ func (speaker *continuousSpeaker) SpeakAndWait(ctx context.Context, text string,
 	}
 }
 
-func TestReadAllPacesSpeechAndInterruptsOnNewInputOrFocus(t *testing.T) {
+func TestReadAllQueuesPassiveFocusAndInterruptsOnNewInput(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, cause := range []string{"key", "focus"} {
 		t.Run(cause, func(t *testing.T) {
 			speaker := &continuousSpeaker{started: make(chan string, 4), finish: make(chan struct{})}
@@ -167,15 +167,27 @@ func TestReadAllPacesSpeechAndInterruptsOnNewInputOrFocus(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 			}
 			worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "New focus", Cause: "focus:"})
+			if cause == "focus" {
+				if ctx.Err() != nil {
+					t.Fatal("passive focus canceled Say All")
+				}
+				speaker.finish <- struct{}{}
+				waitText("Third")
+				if <-progress != 3 {
+					t.Fatal("passive focus changed the reading position")
+				}
+				speaker.finish <- struct{}{}
+			} else {
+				if ctx.Err() == nil {
+					t.Fatal("new input did not cancel Say All")
+				}
+				select {
+				case <-progress:
+					t.Fatal("reading position advanced after interruption")
+				default:
+				}
+			}
 			waitText("New focus")
-			if ctx.Err() == nil {
-				t.Fatal("read all was not canceled")
-			}
-			select {
-			case <-progress:
-				t.Fatal("reading position advanced after interruption")
-			default:
-			}
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/remote.go b/internal/app/remote.go
index 65497ae..64592d9 100644
--- a/internal/app/remote.go
+++ b/internal/app/remote.go
@@ -133,13 +133,13 @@ func (presenter remoteSpeech) presentRequest(request speechRequest) bool {
 	return accepted
 }
 
-func (presenter remoteSpeech) SpeakText(text string, interrupt bool) bool {
+// The protocol's interrupt flag does not establish user input. External
+// announcements obey the same queue policy as accessibility events; callers
+// requesting an explicit stop can use CancelSpeech.
+func (presenter remoteSpeech) SpeakText(text string, _ bool) bool {
 	if presenter.speech == nil || text == "" {
 		return false
 	}
-	if interrupt {
-		presenter.speech.Interrupt()
-	}
 	presenter.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{
 		Text:   text,
 		Role:   "system",
diff --git a/internal/app/remote_test.go b/internal/app/remote_test.go
index 3cca6dd..b1ef743 100644
--- a/internal/app/remote_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/remote_test.go
@@ -106,14 +106,14 @@ func TestRemoteSpeechQueuesWithoutInterruptingByDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestRemoteSpeechInterruptsBeforeRequestedSpeech(t *testing.T) {
+func TestRemoteSpeechQueuesRegardlessOfInterruptFlag(t *testing.T) {
 	queue := &remoteSpeechQueue{}
 	presenter := remoteSpeech{speech: queue}
 	if !presenter.SpeakText("Now", true) {
 		t.Fatal("SpeakText rejected available speech")
 	}
-	if queue.interrupts != 1 {
-		t.Fatalf("interrupts = %d, want 1", queue.interrupts)
+	if queue.interrupts != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("interrupts = %d, want 0", queue.interrupts)
 	}
 	if len(queue.requests) != 1 || queue.requests[0].Text != "Now" || !queue.requests[0].Append {
 		t.Fatalf("request = %+v, want queued Now speech", queue.requests)
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_delivery.go b/internal/app/speech_delivery.go
index ac5b24c..2162424 100644
--- a/internal/app/speech_delivery.go
+++ b/internal/app/speech_delivery.go
@@ -34,14 +34,8 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) deliver(ctx context.Context, request speechRequest)
 	if handled, err := worker.deliver_mode(ctx, request); handled {
 		return err
 	}
-	if !request.Append {
-		if err := worker.speaker.Cancel(ctx); err != nil {
-			if ctx.Err() != nil {
-				return ctx.Err()
-			}
-			worker.logger.Warn("cancel previous speech", "role", request.Role, "error", err)
-		}
-	}
+	// Incoming output always queues. Only input/command handling may cancel
+	// earlier speech; a delayed state or focus event is not another user action.
 	if len(request.Spelling) != 0 {
 		// One parent request owns its context; letter recursion must not
 		// re-announce it or alter the original character's voice choice.
@@ -258,7 +252,7 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) logDelivery(ctx context.Context, request speechReque
 	}
 	worker.logger.DebugContext(ctx, "delivering accessible presentation",
 		"role", request.Role, "cause", request.Cause, "utterance", text,
-		"append", request.Append, "interrupt_previous", !request.Append && readAllIndex <= 0,
+		"append", true, "interrupt_previous", false,
 		"character", request.Character, "custom_echo", request.CustomEcho,
 		"read_all_index", readAllIndex)
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_interrupt.go b/internal/app/speech_interrupt.go
index ed916ff..b28ca78 100644
--- a/internal/app/speech_interrupt.go
+++ b/internal/app/speech_interrupt.go
@@ -25,15 +25,11 @@ import (
 	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/input"
 )
 
-// Interrupt drops retained requests and wakes the owned cancellation worker.
+// Interrupt is for explicit user actions, never automatic presentation.
+// It drops retained requests and wakes the owned cancellation worker.
 // It must never perform backend I/O in the caller's event loop.
 func (worker *speechWorker) Interrupt() {
-	worker.mutex.Lock()
-	defer worker.mutex.Unlock()
-	if worker.confirmationID != 0 || worker.has_uninterruptible_locked() {
-		return
-	}
-	worker.interruptLocked()
+	worker.InterruptForUser()
 }
 
 // The preferences worker changes speech availability after the backend has
@@ -56,7 +52,6 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) interruptLocked() {
 	if worker.uninterruptibleCancel != nil {
 		worker.uninterruptibleCancel()
 	}
-	worker.presentationDelivery = nil
 	worker.confirmationID = 0
 	if worker.beepCancel != nil {
 		worker.beepCancel()
@@ -127,7 +122,7 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) InterruptForInput(event input.Event) bool {
 }
 
 // ProtectCommand ignores delayed copies of input which already dispatched a
-// command. A newly dispatched command also interrupts confirmation speech,
+// command. A newly dispatched command interrupts existing speech,
 // even when its XRecord input has not arrived yet.
 func (worker *speechWorker) ProtectCommand(timestamp uint32) {
 	worker.mutex.Lock()
@@ -138,7 +133,8 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) ProtectCommand(timestamp uint32) {
 	if timestamp != 0 {
 		worker.commandTimestamp = timestamp
 	}
-	if worker.confirmationID != 0 && !worker.has_uninterruptible_locked() {
+	if !worker.has_uninterruptible_locked() {
+		worker.startupUntil = time.Time{}
 		worker.interruptLocked()
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_key_echo_test.go b/internal/app/speech_key_echo_test.go
index 7c2e5c4..c130ca4 100644
--- a/internal/app/speech_key_echo_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/speech_key_echo_test.go
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ func TestSpeechWorkerKeyEchoCompletesBeforeCaretSpeech(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 			t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 			worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "right", Role: "key", Cause: "key-echo", CustomEcho: custom})
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 			voice := ""
 			if custom {
 				voice = "echo"
@@ -47,7 +46,6 @@ func TestSpeechWorkerKeyEchoCompletesBeforeCaretSpeech(t *testing.T) {
 			default:
 			}
 			close(echo.done)
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 			close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "h").done)
 		})
 	}
@@ -61,7 +59,6 @@ func TestSpeechWorkerKeyEchoWaitStillAllowsInputInterruption(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "right", Role: "key", Cause: "key-echo", CustomEcho: true})
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	echo := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "completed:echo:right")
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "stale character", Cause: "object:text-caret-moved"})
 	if !worker.InterruptForInput(input.Event{Pressed: true, Name: "Left", Timestamp: 100}) {
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_presentation.go b/internal/app/speech_presentation.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 0719f82..0000000
--- a/internal/app/speech_presentation.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright (c) 2026 Storm Dragon
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
-package app
-
-import "context"
-
-// revokePresentation drops only the retiring owner's pending speech. If that
-// owner has reached delivery, cancel it through the existing backend barrier
-// while preserving newer core requests behind the barrier. The next delivered
-// request owns backend speech, independently of what is still in the queue.
-func (worker *speechWorker) revokePresentation(owner context.Context) {
-	worker.mutex.Lock()
-	defer worker.mutex.Unlock()
-	retained := worker.pending[:0]
-	for _, request := range worker.pending {
-		if request.presentationGeneration != nil && request.context == owner {
-			completeSpeechRequest(request, context.Canceled)
-		} else {
-			retained = append(retained, request)
-		}
-	}
-	clear(worker.pending[len(retained):])
-	worker.pending = retained
-	if worker.presentationDelivery != owner || !worker.running {
-		return
-	}
-	worker.presentationDelivery = nil
-	if worker.beepCancel != nil {
-		worker.beepCancel()
-	}
-	worker.generation++
-	worker.interrupting = true
-	select {
-	case worker.interrupt <- struct{}{}:
-	default:
-	}
-}
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_uninterruptible.go b/internal/app/speech_uninterruptible.go
index a2a9195..7e787c3 100644
--- a/internal/app/speech_uninterruptible.go
+++ b/internal/app/speech_uninterruptible.go
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) has_uninterruptible_locked() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-// Preserve unrelated queued speech, just as ordinary presentation revocation
-// does. The existing cancellation barrier prevents CANCEL overtaking it.
+// Preserve unrelated queued speech when explicitly stopping protected output.
+// The existing cancellation barrier prevents CANCEL overtaking it.
 func (worker *speechWorker) stop_uninterruptible() {
 	worker.mutex.Lock()
 	defer worker.mutex.Unlock()
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) stop_uninterruptible() {
 		return
 	}
 	worker.uninterruptibleCancel()
-	worker.presentationDelivery = nil
 	if worker.beepCancel != nil {
 		worker.beepCancel()
 	}
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_worker.go b/internal/app/speech_worker.go
index 4c345b9..fbbfd2e 100644
--- a/internal/app/speech_worker.go
+++ b/internal/app/speech_worker.go
@@ -125,7 +125,6 @@ type speechWorker struct {
 	confirmationID     uint64 // Owned under mutex; reset on completion or user interruption.
 	confirmationSerial uint64
 
-	presentationDelivery   context.Context // Replaced when the next request reaches delivery.
 	presentationRevision   uint64
 	uninterruptibleContext context.Context
 	uninterruptibleCancel  context.CancelFunc
@@ -183,10 +182,6 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) Enqueue(request speechRequest) {
 		completeSpeechRequest(request, context.Canceled)
 		return
 	}
-	if worker.readAllCancel != nil && request.Cause != "read-all" && !request.Append {
-		worker.readAllCancel()
-		worker.readAllCancel = nil
-	}
 	if request.context != nil && request.context.Err() != nil {
 		worker.mutex.Unlock()
 		completeSpeechRequest(request, request.context.Err())
@@ -197,6 +192,13 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) Enqueue(request speechRequest) {
 		completeSpeechRequest(request, errors.New("speech worker is not running"))
 		return
 	}
+	request.Append = true
+	// A Tentacle ticket gates admission, not the lifetime of accepted speech.
+	// Passive focus changes can retire the ticket while this output finishes.
+	// Fresh input still cancels through the worker generation/barrier.
+	if request.presentationGeneration != nil && !request.Uninterruptible {
+		request.context = worker.workerContext
+	}
 	if request.Confirmation {
 		worker.confirmationSerial++
 		request.confirmationID = worker.confirmationSerial
@@ -404,10 +406,6 @@ func (worker *speechWorker) next() (speechRequest, bool) {
 	if request.Uninterruptible {
 		worker.uninterruptibleContext, worker.uninterruptibleCancel = request.context, request.cancel
 	}
-	worker.presentationDelivery = nil
-	if request.presentationGeneration != nil {
-		worker.presentationDelivery = request.context
-	}
 	request.deliveryGeneration = worker.generation
 	copy(worker.pending, worker.pending[1:])
 	worker.pending[len(worker.pending)-1] = speechRequest{}
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_worker_test.go b/internal/app/speech_worker_test.go
index 8ce891b..f8d080a 100644
--- a/internal/app/speech_worker_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/speech_worker_test.go
@@ -84,7 +84,6 @@ func TestStartupSpeechSurvivesAutomaticFocusInterruption(t *testing.T) {
 	case <-time.After(time.Second):
 		t.Fatal("startup speech did not begin")
 	}
-	worker.Interrupt() // Automatic window focus must not cancel the welcome.
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Focused control", Cause: "focus:"})
 	worker.mutex.Lock()
 	retained := len(worker.pending) == 1 && worker.pending[0].Text == "Focused control" && worker.pending[0].Append
@@ -259,7 +258,6 @@ func TestInterruptDropsPendingAndOrdersNextSpeech(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Active"})
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 	active := expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Active")
 	worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Discarded"})
 	worker.Interrupt()
@@ -355,7 +353,7 @@ func TestTerminalOutputAndPromptDoNotCancelEachOther(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
-	if got := fmt.Sprint(speaker.calls); got != "[Command output Prompt cancel Save]" {
+	if got := fmt.Sprint(speaker.calls); got != "[Command output Prompt Save]" {
 		t.Fatalf("speech order = %s", got)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/tentacle_output.go b/internal/app/tentacle_output.go
index f7a93b4..ae9512a 100644
--- a/internal/app/tentacle_output.go
+++ b/internal/app/tentacle_output.go
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ func (owner *tentacleOutput) Retire() {
 	owner.retireLocked()
 }
 
-// Stop additionally revokes accepted protected speech during reader shutdown
-// or terminal handoff. Ordinary focus/command retirement only retires replies.
+// Stop additionally revokes accepted protected speech during reader shutdown,
+// screen lock or explicit disable. Ordinary retirement only retires replies.
 func (owner *tentacleOutput) Stop() {
 	if owner == nil {
 		return
@@ -95,9 +95,6 @@ func (owner *tentacleOutput) retireLocked() {
 		return
 	}
 	owner.cancel()
-	if owner.speech != nil {
-		owner.speech.revokePresentation(owner.current)
-	}
 	if owner.braille != nil {
 		owner.braille.retirePresentation(owner.current)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/app/tentacle_output_test.go b/internal/app/tentacle_output_test.go
index 97ede5a..becbdcc 100644
--- a/internal/app/tentacle_output_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/tentacle_output_test.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"log/slog"
 	"testing"
-	"time"
 
 	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/braille"
 	"git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/config"
@@ -23,6 +22,7 @@ func tentacleOutputFixture(t *testing.T) *tentacleOutput {
 	display := &brailleWorker{logger: slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), cancel: func() {}, connected: true, wake: make(chan struct{}, 1),
 		frame: braille.Frame{Text: "Core focus", Cursor: -1}, baseFrame: braille.Frame{Text: "Core focus", Cursor: -1}}
 	speech := newSpeechWorker(slog.New(slog.DiscardHandler), nil)
+	speech.workerContext = t.Context()
 	speech.running = true // Inspect the bounded queue without a delivery goroutine.
 	owner := &tentacleOutput{speech: speech, braille: display, gate: newFocusGate(nil), live: live}
 	owner.gate.tentacleOutput = owner
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestTentacleIndependentOutputOwnership(t *testing.T) {
 			for _, request := range owner.speech.pending {
 				if request.Text == "Tentacle speech" {
 					gotSpeech = true
-					if request.context != ticket.ctx || request.ForceSpeech || request.BypassFocusGate || request.Role != "system" {
+					if request.context != owner.speech.workerContext || request.ForceSpeech || request.BypassFocusGate || request.Role != "system" {
 						t.Fatal("unsafe speech request")
 					}
 				}
@@ -119,17 +119,16 @@ func TestTentacleAcceptedOutputRetirement(t *testing.T) {
 			owner.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "New core output"})
 			owner.braille.Flash("New core flash", owner.live.Load().Braille)
 		}
-		cancel() // Reply was already consumed; its session still owns output lifetime.
+		cancel() // Retiring the reply cannot cut off speech already accepted.
 		if !newer && owner.braille.current().Text != "Core focus" {
 			t.Fatal("revoked flash survived consumption")
 		}
 		owner.RetireRevoked()
-		if newer {
-			if owner.braille.current().Text != "New core flash" || len(owner.speech.pending) != 1 || owner.speech.pending[0].Text != "New core output" {
-				t.Fatal("retirement displaced core output")
-			}
-		} else if len(owner.speech.pending) != 0 {
-			t.Fatal("queued retired speech remains")
+		if len(owner.speech.pending) == 0 || owner.speech.pending[0].Text != "Queued speech" || owner.speech.pending[0].context.Err() != nil {
+			t.Fatal("retirement discarded accepted speech")
+		}
+		if newer && (owner.braille.current().Text != "New core flash" || len(owner.speech.pending) != 2 || owner.speech.pending[1].Text != "New core output") {
+			t.Fatal("retirement displaced core output")
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -190,26 +189,9 @@ func TestTentacleRevocationPreservesQueuedCoreSpeech(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Cleanup(func() { owner.speech.Stop(context.Background()) })
 	ticket := owner.Capture(context.Background())
 	owner.Present(ticket, tentaclewire.Presentation{Speech: "Tentacle output"}, "tentacle/test/probe")
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
-	_ = expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Tentacle output") // Remains in flight until context cancellation.
+	active := expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Tentacle output")
 	owner.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Later core speech", Append: true})
 	owner.Retire()
-	cancellations := 0
-	deadline := time.After(time.Second)
-	for {
-		select {
-		case call := <-speaker.calls:
-			close(call.done)
-			if call.text == "cancel" {
-				cancellations++
-				continue
-			}
-			if call.text != "Later core speech" || cancellations == 0 {
-				t.Fatalf("unexpected delivery after revocation: %q", call.text)
-			}
-			return
-		case <-deadline:
-			t.Fatal("core speech failed to resume after revocation")
-		}
-	}
+	close(active.done)
+	close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Later core speech").done)
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/tentacle_uninterruptible_test.go b/internal/app/tentacle_uninterruptible_test.go
index 8f1fc68..07e8aa2 100644
--- a/internal/app/tentacle_uninterruptible_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/tentacle_uninterruptible_test.go
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ func TestTentacleUninterruptibleSurvivesInputAndFocusUntilEnd(t *testing.T) {
 	if owner.speech.InterruptForInput(input.Event{Timestamp: 101, Pressed: true}) {
 		t.Fatal("queued greeting was interrupted")
 	}
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	greeting := expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Hello world!")
 	owner.speech.Interrupt()
 	owner.speech.InterruptForUser()
@@ -70,7 +69,7 @@ func TestTentacleUninterruptibleSurvivesInputAndFocusUntilEnd(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestTentacleUninterruptibleStillRevokes(t *testing.T) {
-	for _, action := range []string{"session", "disable", "lock", "handoff", "speech off", "mode", "stop", "lifetime"} {
+	for _, action := range []string{"session", "disable", "lock", "speech off", "mode", "stop", "lifetime"} {
 		t.Run(action, func(t *testing.T) {
 			owner, speaker := protected_output_fixture(t)
 			parent, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
@@ -84,7 +83,6 @@ func TestTentacleUninterruptibleStillRevokes(t *testing.T) {
 			if !bounded || time.Until(deadline) > uninterruptibleSpeechTimeout {
 				t.Fatal("unbounded protected speech")
 			}
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 			_ = expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Protected greeting")
 			switch action {
 			case "session":
@@ -93,8 +91,6 @@ func TestTentacleUninterruptibleStillRevokes(t *testing.T) {
 				owner.Stop()
 			case "lock":
 				owner.gate.SetLocked(true, nil, nil, nil, owner.speech, owner.braille)
-			case "handoff":
-				owner.gate.SetSuspended(true)
 			case "speech off":
 				owner.speech.SetEnabled(false)
 			case "mode":
@@ -181,7 +177,6 @@ func TestTentacleUninterruptibleCannotResurrectStaleReply(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTentacleProtectedStopPreservesCoreQueue(t *testing.T) {
 	owner, speaker := protected_output_fixture(t)
 	owner.Present(owner.Capture(t.Context()), tentaclewire.Presentation{Speech: "Greeting", Uninterruptible: true}, "tentacle/test/hello")
-	close(expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "cancel").done)
 	_ = expectSpeechCall(t, &speaker.controlledSpeaker, "Greeting")
 	owner.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Core output"})
 	owner.Stop()
diff --git a/internal/app/tentacles_test.go b/internal/app/tentacles_test.go
index 5ee5769..8b862fd 100644
--- a/internal/app/tentacles_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/tentacles_test.go
@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@ func TestReaderTentaclePresentation(t *testing.T) {
 					t.Fatal("reader did not present the command result")
 				}
 				runtime.Disable()
-				if pending[0].context.Err() == nil || owner.braille.current().Text != "Core focus" {
-					t.Fatal("disable left accepted output live")
+				if pending[0].context.Err() != nil || owner.braille.current().Text != "Core focus" {
+					t.Fatal("disable did not preserve accepted speech and retire the flash")
 				}
 			} else {
 				if len(pending) != 0 || owner.braille.current().Text != "Core focus" {
diff --git a/internal/app/version.go b/internal/app/version.go
index a985b07..0afeb53 100644
--- a/internal/app/version.go
+++ b/internal/app/version.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ package app
 import "git.stormux.org/storm/cthulhu/internal/version"
 
 func presentVersion(speech speechEnqueuer, atspiVersion, sessionType, sessionDesktop string) {
-	speech.Interrupt()
 	speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{
 		Text:  version.Details(atspiVersion, sessionType, sessionDesktop),
 		Role:  "system",
diff --git a/internal/app/version_test.go b/internal/app/version_test.go
index 80a2d12..61e2abd 100644
--- a/internal/app/version_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/version_test.go
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ func TestPresentVersion(t *testing.T) {
 	presentVersion(speech, "2.58.0", "x11", "GNOME")
 	select {
 	case <-speech.interrupt:
+		t.Fatal("version result interrupted speech again")
 	default:
-		t.Fatal("version presentation did not interrupt speech")
 	}
 	request := <-speech.requests
 	want := version.Details("2.58.0", "x11", "GNOME")
diff --git a/internal/app/webscripts.go b/internal/app/webscripts.go
index 607dd3d..d3b799b 100644
--- a/internal/app/webscripts.go
+++ b/internal/app/webscripts.go
@@ -85,7 +85,6 @@ func (controller *webScriptController) present(messages []string) {
 			}
 			controller.braille.Flash(message, options)
 		}
-		controller.speech.Interrupt()
 		controller.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{
 			Text: message, Role: "notification", Cause: "steam-notification", BypassFocusGate: true,
 		})
diff --git a/internal/app/window_speech_test.go b/internal/app/window_speech_test.go
index 13e7cf5..0bb3b69 100644
--- a/internal/app/window_speech_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/window_speech_test.go
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ func TestWindowTitleQueuesFollowingPresentation(t *testing.T) {
 			activation := ownerEvent(atspi.WindowActivatedEvent, ":1.70", "/window", "/window")
 			activation.Source.Name, activation.Source.Role = title, "dialog"
 			activation.WindowTitle = title
-			presenter.speak(activation)
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
-			titleCall := expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, title)
 			worker.ProtectCommand(100)
+			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
+			presenter.speak(activation)
+			titleCall := expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, title)
 			if worker.InterruptForInput(input.Event{Pressed: true, Timestamp: 100}) {
 				t.Fatal("delayed initiating shortcut interrupted the title")
 			}
@@ -49,14 +49,13 @@ func TestWindowTitleQueuesFollowingPresentation(t *testing.T) {
 
 			focus.Source.Path, focus.Source.Name = "/speech", "Speech"
 			presenter.speak(focus)
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Speech").done)
 			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "page tab").done)
 		})
 	}
 }
 
-func TestWindowTitlePairingIsScoped(t *testing.T) {
+func TestWindowTitlesAndOtherWindowsQueueUntilUserInterruption(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, test := range []struct {
 		name      string
 		window    atspi.ObjectID
@@ -80,7 +79,6 @@ func TestWindowTitlePairingIsScoped(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 			t.Cleanup(func() { worker.Stop(context.Background()) })
 			worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Window title", Window: atspi.NewObjectID(":1.70", "/window"), IntroducesWindow: !test.untitled})
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 			titleCall := expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Window title")
 			if test.interrupt != nil {
 				test.interrupt(worker)
@@ -88,10 +86,9 @@ func TestWindowTitlePairingIsScoped(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 			worker.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: "Next control", Window: test.window})
 			close(titleCall.done)
-			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 			if test.interrupt != nil {
 				// The cancellation barrier settles the in-flight title
-				// before the new focus request performs its own CANCEL.
+				// before the new focus request can speak.
 				close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "cancel").done)
 			}
 			close(expectSpeechCall(t, speaker, "Next control").done)
diff --git a/internal/app/window_title_command_test.go b/internal/app/window_title_command_test.go
index 48bbfbf..3c249e0 100644
--- a/internal/app/window_title_command_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/window_title_command_test.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestPresentWindowTitleRepeatsDespiteAutomaticPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 	for range 2 {
 		titles.present()
 	}
-	if len(queue.requests) != 2 || queue.interruptions != 2 || titles.pending != nil {
+	if len(queue.requests) != 2 || queue.interruptions != 0 || titles.pending != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("explicit titles = %+v; interruptions %d; pending %+v", queue.requests, queue.interruptions, titles.pending)
 	}
 	for _, request := range queue.requests {
diff --git a/internal/app/window_titles.go b/internal/app/window_titles.go
index 72f86dc..f1de029 100644
--- a/internal/app/window_titles.go
+++ b/internal/app/window_titles.go
@@ -242,7 +242,6 @@ func (titles *windowTitleController) present() {
 	} else {
 		titles.lastTitle = text
 	}
-	titles.speech.Interrupt()
 	titles.speech.Enqueue(speechRequest{Text: text, Role: "system", Cause: "present-window-title",
 		Window: window, ExcludeFromHistory: titles.state.historyWindow.Valid() && window == titles.state.historyWindow})
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/xterm_handoff_test.go b/internal/app/xterm_handoff_test.go
index 3e4b457..3df1e3f 100644
--- a/internal/app/xterm_handoff_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/xterm_handoff_test.go
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ func TestXTermFocusSuspendsAndResumesPresentationAndCommandGrabs(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Helper()
 		select {
 		case <-speech.interrupt:
-		case <-time.After(time.Second):
-			t.Fatal("XTerm focus did not interrupt Cthulhu speech")
+			t.Fatal("passive XTerm focus interrupted Cthulhu speech")
+		default:
 		}
 	}
 	waitForGrabs := func(want []bool) {
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ func TestXTermFocusDiscardsPendingSpeech(t *testing.T) {
 
 	select {
 	case <-speech.interrupt:
-	case <-time.After(time.Second):
-		t.Fatal("XTerm focus did not interrupt pending speech")
+		t.Fatal("passive XTerm focus interrupted pending speech")
+	default:
 	}
 	time.Sleep(30 * time.Millisecond)
 	select {
diff --git a/internal/sound/service.go b/internal/sound/service.go
index 51cf569..39f18d3 100644
--- a/internal/sound/service.go
+++ b/internal/sound/service.go
@@ -264,6 +264,10 @@ func (service *Service) playQueued(ctx context.Context, cue queuedCue) error {
 		}
 		service.mutex.Unlock()
 	}
+	if err := playContext.Err(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	service.logger.Debug("playing object sound", "cue", cue.Name)
 	return player.Play(playContext, data, volume, normalizedPan(cue.Pan))
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/check_speech.py b/tests/check_speech.py
index 36ab73f..5fa1eba 100755
--- a/tests/check_speech.py
+++ b/tests/check_speech.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from native_test_session import run_private_session
 
 
 requiredTests = {
+    "TestSpeechWorkerRadioSelectionDoesNotCancelLabel",
     "TestPrivateWineReviewUpdatesPreserveQueuedTitleSpeech",
     "TestPrivateWineTitleSurvivesReviewFocusBurst",
     "TestAutomaticTitleSurvivesMovementRepeatsBeforeAndAfterDelivery",
diff --git a/tests/native_echo_preview.py b/tests/native_echo_preview.py
index 5767399..e5800a8 100644
--- a/tests/native_echo_preview.py
+++ b/tests/native_echo_preview.py
@@ -111,7 +111,36 @@ class PreviewSpeechServer:
             client["socket"].close()
 
 
-def check_runtime():
+def check_radio_buttons(controls, tabs, server, readerLog):
+    import pyatspi
+
+    def radio_cues():
+        records = [json.loads(line) for line in readerLog.read_text().splitlines() if line.startswith("{")]
+        return [record["cue"] for record in records if record.get("message") == "playing object sound"
+                and record.get("cue", "").startswith("radiobutton_")]
+
+    assert tabs.querySelection().selectChild(0)
+    assert controls["Desktop"].queryComponent().grabFocus()
+    wait_for(lambda: radio_cues(), "initial radio sound did not play")
+    time.sleep(0.35)
+    for keyName, target in (("Right", "Laptop"), ("Left", "Desktop"), ("Right", "Laptop")):
+        cueOffset = len(radio_cues())
+        speechOffset = len(server.snapshot())
+        subprocess.run(["xdotool", "key", "--clearmodifiers", keyName], check=True)
+        wait_for(lambda: controls[target].getState().contains(pyatspi.STATE_CHECKED), target + " was not selected")
+        wait_for(lambda: len(radio_cues()) > cueOffset, target + " selection sound did not play")
+        # Cover the deferred focus cue and duplicate focus event after checking.
+        time.sleep(0.35)
+        cues = radio_cues()[cueOffset:]
+        assert cues == ["radiobutton_checked"], (keyName, target, cues)
+        assert any(target in record["text"] for record in server.snapshot()[speechOffset:]), target + " label was lost"
+    records = [json.loads(line) for line in readerLog.read_text().splitlines() if line.startswith("{")]
+    errors = [record for record in records if record.get("message") == "play sound"
+              and record.get("cue", "").startswith("radiobutton_") and record.get("error") != "context canceled"]
+    assert not errors, errors
+
+
+def check_runtime(radioOnly=False):
     import pyatspi
     directory = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="cthulhu-echo-runtime-"))
     binary = os.environ["CTHULHU_BINARY"]
@@ -144,10 +173,30 @@ gain = 5
 name = "Echo A"
 lang = "en"
 ''')
+        if radioOnly:
+            configPath.write_text(configPath.read_text().replace(
+                "[profiles.default.sound]\nenabled = false",
+                '[profiles.default.sound]\nenabled = true\nsink = "auto"\nplay-for-state = true\nrole-presentation-strategy = "sound_only"'))
+        readerEnv = os.environ.copy()
+        if radioOnly:
+            import gi
+            gi.require_version("Gst", "1.0")
+            from gi.repository import Gst
+            Gst.init(None)
+            assert Gst.ElementFactory.find("fakeaudiosink"), "silent GStreamer audio sink is unavailable"
+            # Only the child reader sees these ranks. Auto audio can choose
+            # the fake sink; every real audio sink is excluded from discovery.
+            ranks = []
+            for factory in Gst.Registry.get().get_feature_list(Gst.ElementFactory):
+                kind = factory.get_metadata("klass") or ""
+                if "Audio" in kind and "Sink" in kind:
+                    rank = "MAX" if factory.get_name() == "fakeaudiosink" else "0"
+                    ranks.append(factory.get_name() + ":" + rank)
+            readerEnv["GST_PLUGIN_FEATURE_RANK"] = ",".join(ranks)
         reader = subprocess.Popen([binary, "--config", str(configPath), "--settings", "--no-tentacles",
                                    "--speech-socket", str(directory / "speech.sock"),
                                    "--debug-file", str(directory / "reader.log")],
-                                  stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=(directory / "stderr.log").open("w"))
+                                  env=readerEnv, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=(directory / "stderr.log").open("w"))
         def find_window():
             for application in pyatspi.Registry.getDesktop(0):
                 for window in application:
@@ -163,6 +212,10 @@ lang = "en"
         xid = subprocess.check_output(["xdotool", "search", "--onlyvisible", "--name", "^Cthulhu Preferences$"], text=True).splitlines()[0]
         subprocess.run(["xdotool", "windowactivate", "--sync", xid], check=True)
         tabs = next(node for node in walk(window) if node.getRole() == pyatspi.ROLE_PAGE_TAB_LIST)
+        if radioOnly:
+            check_radio_buttons(controls, tabs, server, directory / "reader.log")
+            print(f"PASS: real GTK Desktop/Laptop arrows play only the final selected sound and retain labels; evidence: {directory}")
+            return
         assert tabs.querySelection().selectChild(4)
         assert controls["Use custom echo voice"].queryComponent().grabFocus()
         wait_for(lambda: any(record["text"] == "checked" and record["finished"]
diff --git a/tests/native_preferences.py b/tests/native_preferences.py
index b380b3e..7501267 100644
--- a/tests/native_preferences.py
+++ b/tests/native_preferences.py
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ class ResponseReader:
 
 
 def inside():
+    if os.environ.get("CTHULHU_PREFS_RADIO_RUNTIME_ONLY") == "1":
+        from native_echo_preview import check_runtime
+        check_runtime(radioOnly=True)
+        return
     if os.environ.get("CTHULHU_PREFS_ECHO_RUNTIME_ONLY") == "1":
         from native_echo_preview import check_runtime
         check_runtime()