The study of turn-taking in the data has confirmed the validity of SSJ's system for Cantonese conversation. It is found that a turn in Cantonese conversation consists of one or more turn-constructional units (TCUs) which can be a word, a phrase, a clause or a sentence. Turn transition tends to take place at the completion point of a TCU. Turns are usually allocated by a set of three rules: current speaker selects next, second speaker self-selects and current speaker continues. 

Overlaps are frequently noticed in the data. They are found regularly at four positions in the course of an on-going TCU. Overlaps may take place slightly (not more than two syllables) before the unit's completion, exactly at the point of completion, slightly after this point, and in the middle of the unit. The first three positions are around a place where turn transition tends to occur. The occurrences of overlaps of these positions are accountable by the turn-allocational rule-set, while onsets of overlapping of the fourth position are largely associated with the syntactic structure of the overlapped utterance. 

A number of interactional tasks are relevant in overlapping. From the perspective of current speaker, overlapping may take place as a result of his continuation after a TCU's completion. This extension of the turn may serve to hold the speaking right, to make self-repair, or to minimise the transition gap from one turn to another. From the point of view of next speaker, he may start speaking before the completion of the on-going utterance to express agreement, to assist the development of the utterance, or to show understanding. He may also cut in to disagree with the first speaker, to compete for the speaking right, or to initiate repair. Overlaps also come about as a product of topic management. In three-party conversations, overlaps may involve two recipients’ simultaneous responses to the prior turn.