I'm not a big fan of 'class/level' systems but it seems liked if your going to have them one benefit is an easy means of designation. With previous editions, players might say, "That's when my Wizard cast lightning bolt at the orc guard". Now its 'my controller'. Totally ruins the mood and atmosphere for me.
Have you actually witnessed this?
In my game so far, no one has referred to their character as anything besides it's race/class combo.
Role names have only come up when discussing the design of the classes.