We will focus on the phonological developments of the English language starting with the first runic attestations in Pre-Old English (ca. 425-650 AD) and continuing with Old English (ca. 650 - 11th cent.), Middle English (ca. 11th - ca. 15th cent.) and Early Modern English. In this latter period  a new national variety, American English, emerged and it is this variety that gives us an insight into an ongoing sound change, the Great Northern Cities Shift.