cc @LeonarddeR
I will privately email you a copy of the speech synthesizer application that reproduces the issue.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Run nvda-Alpha-29323.
2. Switch to the Sapi4 synthesizer.
3. Try adjusting the sapi4 synthesizer's speech rate to be faster.
4. Make NVDA pronounce a capital letter.

Actual behavior:

Synthesizer speech rate reduced.
Two options are available to restore the original rate:

1. Use gestures to adjust the speech rate of the synthesizer settings ring.
2. Press Ctrl+NVDA +V to open the voice settings panel, then press ESC to close.

Expected behavior:

Speech pitch changes should not affect speech rate.

NVDA logs, crash dumps and other attachments:

log.txt

System configuration

NVDA installed/portable/running from source:

Installed

NVDA version:

Alpha-29323

Windows version:

Windows 10 22H2 (AMD64) build 19045.3448

Name and version of other software in use when reproducing the issue:

None

Other information about your system:

None

Other questions

Does the issue still occur after restarting your computer?

Yes

Have you tried any other versions of NVDA? If so, please report their behaviors.

NVDA2023.3Beta2 works as expected

If NVDA add-ons are disabled, is your problem still occurring?

Yes

Does the issue still occur after you run the COM Registration Fixing Tool in NVDA's tools menu?

Yes