Abstract: This essay, from the perspective of Rosch”s prototype theory, makes a probe into the strategy of using the prototype word to reach loose equivalence between “TL” and “SL” when the interpreter cannot recall the exact word. And it goes further to point out that, by adopting the “subprototype” word, that is, a word in an interim state between the prototype word and the exact word, the interpreter can make an immediate selfcorrection while blurting out the prototype word so as to improve the quality of interpretation.

Key words: subprototype, interpretation, prototype