It's funny you mention that because in some respects the Ottomans, following the fall of Constantinople, also took up the mantle of "new new Roman empire". So,

It's funny you mention that because in some respects the Ottomans, following the fall of Constantinople, also took up the mantle of "new new Roman empire". So, granted, after 200 or so years since separation most American's don't necessarily identify with the British empire, but who's to say what attitudes will be in another 200 years? (Also, I feel it's worth pointing out that if you asked most American's: "whose language is 'English'?", they would assert without a hint of irony that English belongs to America.)