If you mean "principle" (note the different spelling) as in a "guiding rule" then see: PRINCIPLE
PRINCIPAL (version 1) (fist or S-hand version)
Form a "P" handshape with your dominant hand and either a (palm-down) fist or a
loose-flat-palm-down handshape with your non-dominant hand.
Circle the P above the non-dominant hand and then drop the P down onto the
non-dominant hand.
PRINCIPAL (version 1) https://youtu.be/u3vxA2BzbNg
This sign is good to use if you mean principal as in the leader
of a school or "the school principal."
PRINCIPAL (version 2) (flat-hand-version)
Form a "P" handshape with your dominant hand and either a (palm-down) fist or a
loose-flat-palm-down handshape with your non-dominant hand.
Circle the P above the non-dominant hand and then drop the P down onto the
non-dominant hand.
PRINCIPAL (version 2) https://youtu.be/Gql-wR0HpfE
PRINCIPAL (version 3)
Touch the tip of the middle finger of the "P-hand" to the back of a
palm-down S-hand twice using a simple straight down, up, down movement of the
dominant hand.
PRINCIPAL (version 3) https://youtu.be/WhqYIVFLaf4
PRINCIPAL (other meanings)
Remember, the signs above refer to the person "principal" of a school.
If you mean some other type of "principal" (other than the leader
of a school) you should use a sign that more closely matches your
intended meaning.
For example:
If you mean "main" see: MAIN
If you mean "top" then see: TOP
If you mean "first" then see: FIRST
If you mean "priority" then see: PRIORITY
Notes:
The concept that matches the English word "principle" spelled with an "ple" instead of "pal" uses a different sign. See: "principle"
There is quite a bit of variation in ASL. Don't get hung up on the
small details. I've got a friend who signs "principal" by
starting with the dominant hand alongside the non-dominant fist.
He then does a bit of a circular movement wherein he swings the "P"
hand up into position above the non dominant hand and then brings it
down once firmly. I've got another friend who uses the flat
hand version.
The sign can be done larger or smaller depending on how formal you are being
and/or if you are signing to a large audience or if you are close to your
conversation partner.
YouTube links:
PRINCIPAL (version 1) https://youtu.be/u3vxA2BzbNg
PRINCIPAL (version 2) https://youtu.be/Gql-wR0HpfE
PRINCIPAL (version 3) https://youtu.be/WhqYIVFLaf4
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