Provided is a keystroke output wedge, implemented in software or firmware, that presents natural language messages to a user. The messages may be in text form on a display or transmitted in audible form to a wireless headset for example. The wedge provides data translation functions for devices used to collect and input data into a computer such as a bar code scanner. It can also provide messages to the user of the data input device relating to the state of associated application programs and computer operating systems. The wedge can be programmed to provide prompts, such as "SCAN PART NUMBER," or feedback, such as "VALID SCAN."