diff --git a/espeak.c b/espeak.c
index 510a44c..8015fc4 100644
--- a/espeak.c
+++ b/espeak.c
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 /* default voice settings */
 const int defaultFrequency = 5;
 const int defaultPitch = 5;
-const int defaultRate = 5;
+const int defaultRate = 2;
 const int defaultVolume = 5;
 char *defaultVoice = NULL;