A control switch (110) is provided to facilitate a primary user interface for a control top surface (106) of a non-orthogonal control top (102) of a portable communication device (100). The control switch (110) comprises a thumb button actuator (112), a rotary lever (220) having a lever arm (222) extending therefrom, a transfer arm (202) coupled between the thumb button actuator and the lever arm of the rotary lever, and an electrical rotary switch (204) with a switch shaft (224) providing a primary axis of orthogonal rotation. Actuation of the thumb button actuator (112) results in linear, non-orthogonal motion of the transfer arm (202) being translated into rotary motion of the switch shaft (224) about the primary axis of orthogonal rotation (205).