Abstract: A universal command generator that generates commands that are recognizable by multiple contexts, where the universal command libraries are loaded automatically and dynamically as the user switches from context to context. Additionally, a novel gesture recognition method is provided to allow the user to define symbols specific to the users preferences that will work universally. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises novel methods and apparatus that provide this functionality such as: a method for translating signals from an input device into commands operating on a context-sensitive basis, a method for recognizing and translating a command received from an input device into a command recognizable by a second context, and a device for interpreting and translating commands entered into a first device into commands that are understandable by a second device.