参考译文
As kites were invented before the written words，many versions of how they originated have emerged．The Chinese had the basic available materials to make kites-silk and bamboo，and the Chinese were the first people to write about kites in words．In 478 8．C．，it was recorded that a Chinese philosopher．Mo Zi，spent 3 years making a bird from wood which could fly．There are many sayings as to how the kite Was invented-one is that a Chinese man’s hat may have been blown off and was caught by the neckband which made it fly in the wind．Another saying is that it can make a high banner more visible．
难点注释
1．第一句中，句子结构紧凑，翻译成英文最好也用一句话，根据语义之间的关系，前半  部分译为as引导的原因状语从句较好。
2．第二句中，“用文字”可以翻译为in words。
3．第三句中，“据记载”可译为it was recorded that…。
4．第四句为无主句，可以翻译为there be句型。翻译时用破折号引出风筝起源的两种  说法，起到解释、说明的作用。