"Undersecretary" and "Hon." - political jargon

[serenutis]

Hello,

I'd be grateful if you could help me dissipate my doubts about this.

In the Italian political system there are "Ministri" (Secretaries - of Defense, Welfare, Internal Affairs, etc.) who are coadiuvated in their daily job by one Vice-Ministro (Deputy Secretary, I suppose) and usually a few "Sottosegretari" with specific competence on certain areas of interest. This figure of "Sottosegretario" is usually translated literally with "Undersecretary", but I have a feeling the latter means something different in the US system. Don't even know what they are called in the UK. Can you help me with that?

Also, Italians have a tendency to overabound with unnecessary titles, and in case of politicians we use the term ""Onorevole" (literally "honorable") before the name of any member of the Senate or Congress. I see that the short for Onorevole, "On." is often translated as "Hon." in invitations etc. Is that correct? I kind of remember "Hon." is a title very seldom given, and probably not to politicians? Not sure. I would be really grateful for any help on this.

Thanks a lot.
Serena

[Anglika]

WElcome to the forums.

Hello,

I'd be grateful if you could help me dissipate my doubts about this.

In the Italian political system there are "Ministri" (Secretaries - of Defense, Welfare, Internal Affairs, etc.) who are coadiuvated in their daily job by one Vice-Ministro (Deputy Secretary, I suppose) and usually a few "Sottosegretari" with specific competence on certain areas of interest. This figure of "Sottosegretario" is usually translated literally with "Undersecretary", but I have a feeling the latter means something different in the US system. Don't even know what they are called in the UK. Can you help me with that?

Also, Italians have a tendency to overabound with unnecessary titles, and in case of politicians we use the term ""Onorevole" (literally "honorable") before the name of any member of the Senate or Congress. I see that the short for Onorevole, "On." is often translated as "Hon." in invitations etc. Is that correct? I kind of remember "Hon." is a title very seldom given, and probably not to politicians? Not sure. I would be really grateful for any help on this.

Thanks a lot.
Serena

In the UK Government, the senior Cabinet members are titled Secretary of State, with lesser members being Ministers.

Honourable is a title used before the name of all MPs and senior government officials. Cabinet members have the title "Right Honourable". Cabinet of the United Kingdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Raymott]

I kind of remember "Hon." is a title very seldom given, and probably not to politicians? Not sure. I would be really grateful for any help on this.

Thanks a lot.
Serena

"Honourable" is a title given to all members of parliament in the British-type systems. But you are right; it is most often not an appropriate term.