diff --git a/usr/local/bin/speechd_rate.py b/usr/local/bin/speechd_rate.py
index f62d17d..bf236ab 100755
--- a/usr/local/bin/speechd_rate.py
+++ b/usr/local/bin/speechd_rate.py
@@ -11,6 +11,39 @@ import speechd  # Python bindings for Speech Dispatcher
 import re
 import subprocess
 
+def update_speechd_config_content(content, rate, volume, pitch):
+    """Return speechd.conf content with updated default voice parameters."""
+    newContent = content
+
+    replacements = (
+        ("DefaultRate", rate),
+        ("DefaultVolume", volume),
+        ("DefaultPitch", pitch),
+    )
+
+    for settingName, settingValue in replacements:
+        activePattern = rf'^(\s*){settingName}\s+(-?\d+)'
+        commentedPattern = rf'^(\s*)#\s*{settingName}\s+(-?\d+)'
+        replacement = rf'\1{settingName}  {settingValue}'
+
+        if re.search(activePattern, newContent, re.MULTILINE):
+            newContent = re.sub(
+                activePattern,
+                replacement,
+                newContent,
+                flags=re.MULTILINE,
+            )
+        else:
+            newContent = re.sub(
+                commentedPattern,
+                replacement,
+                newContent,
+                flags=re.MULTILINE,
+            )
+
+    return newContent
+
+
 class SpeechRateMenu:
     def __init__(self, title="Speech Configuration"):
         self.title = title
@@ -22,6 +55,10 @@ class SpeechRateMenu:
         self.stdscr = None
         self.cursesInitialized = False  # Flag to track if curses has been initialized
         self.configFile = "/etc/speech-dispatcher/speechd.conf"
+        self.configTargets = [
+            self.configFile,
+            os.path.expanduser("~/.fex-emu/RootFS/ArchLinux/etc/speech-dispatcher/speechd.conf"),
+        ]
 
         # Load current settings from config FIRST
         self.load_current_settings()
@@ -85,72 +122,26 @@ class SpeechRateMenu:
     def save_settings_to_config(self):
         """Save the current settings to the speech-dispatcher config file"""
         try:
-            # We need to use sudo to modify the system config file
-            # This assumes the user has sudo privileges or the script is run as root
-            
-            # Create a temporary file with the modified content
-            with open(self.configFile, 'r') as f:
-                content = f.read()
-            
-            newContent = content
-            
-            # Handle DefaultRate
-            if re.search(r'^\s*DefaultRate\s+', newContent, re.MULTILINE):
-                newContent = re.sub(
-                    r'^(\s*)DefaultRate\s+(-?\d+)', 
-                    r'\1DefaultRate  ' + str(self.currentRate), 
-                    newContent, 
-                    flags=re.MULTILINE
+            for configPath in self.configTargets:
+                with open(configPath, 'r') as f:
+                    content = f.read()
+
+                newContent = update_speechd_config_content(
+                    content,
+                    self.currentRate,
+                    self.currentVolume,
+                    self.currentPitch,
                 )
-            else:
-                newContent = re.sub(
-                    r'^(\s*)#\s*DefaultRate\s+(-?\d+)', 
-                    r'\1DefaultRate  ' + str(self.currentRate), 
-                    newContent, 
-                    flags=re.MULTILINE
+
+                tempFile = f"/tmp/{os.path.basename(configPath)}.new"
+                with open(tempFile, 'w') as f:
+                    f.write(newContent)
+
+                subprocess.run(
+                    ["sudo", "mv", tempFile, configPath],
+                    check=True,
                 )
-            
-            # Handle DefaultVolume
-            if re.search(r'^\s*DefaultVolume\s+', newContent, re.MULTILINE):
-                newContent = re.sub(
-                    r'^(\s*)DefaultVolume\s+(-?\d+)', 
-                    r'\1DefaultVolume  ' + str(self.currentVolume), 
-                    newContent, 
-                    flags=re.MULTILINE
-                )
-            else:
-                newContent = re.sub(
-                    r'^(\s*)#\s*DefaultVolume\s+(-?\d+)', 
-                    r'\1DefaultVolume  ' + str(self.currentVolume), 
-                    newContent, 
-                    flags=re.MULTILINE
-                )
-            
-            # Handle DefaultPitch
-            if re.search(r'^\s*DefaultPitch\s+', newContent, re.MULTILINE):
-                newContent = re.sub(
-                    r'^(\s*)DefaultPitch\s+(-?\d+)', 
-                    r'\1DefaultPitch  ' + str(self.currentPitch), 
-                    newContent, 
-                    flags=re.MULTILINE
-                )
-            else:
-                newContent = re.sub(
-                    r'^(\s*)#\s*DefaultPitch\s+(-?\d+)', 
-                    r'\1DefaultPitch  ' + str(self.currentPitch), 
-                    newContent, 
-                    flags=re.MULTILINE
-                )
-            
-            # Write to a temporary file
-            tempFile = "/tmp/speechd.conf.new"
-            with open(tempFile, 'w') as f:
-                f.write(newContent)
-            
-            # Use sudo to move the file to the correct location
-            cmd = f"sudo mv {tempFile} {self.configFile}"
-            subprocess.run(cmd, shell=True, check=True)
-            
+
             return True
         except Exception:
             return False
@@ -404,7 +395,8 @@ class SpeechRateMenu:
                     break  # Exit the loop after saving
 
                 elif key == 27 or key == ord('q') or key == ord('Q'):  # Esc or Q
-                    self.speak("Exiting speech configuration.")
+                    self.speak("Speech settings discarded.")
+                    time.sleep(3)
                     break
 
         except Exception: