Try to keep speech form stuttering with status keys.

__init__.py

@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ bgmVolume = 0.75  # Default background music volume
 sfxVolume = 1.0   # Default sound effects volume
 masterVolume = 1.0  # Default master volume
 
+# Handle speech delays so we don't get stuttering 
+_lastSpoken = {"text": None, "time": 0}
+_speechDelay = 250  # ms
+
 class Scoreboard:
     """Handles high score tracking with player names."""
     
@@ -337,6 +341,18 @@ def speak(text, interrupt=True):
         text (str): Text to speak and display
         interrupt (bool): Whether to interrupt current speech (default: True)
     """
+    current_time = pygame.time.get_ticks()
+    
+    # Check if this is the same text within the delay window
+    if (_lastSpoken["text"] == text and 
+        current_time - _lastSpoken["time"] < _speechDelay):
+        return
+    
+    # Update last spoken tracking
+    _lastSpoken["text"] = text
+    _lastSpoken["time"] = current_time
+    
+    # Proceed with speech
     if speechProvider == "speechd":
         if interrupt:
             spd.cancel()