We consider a one-dimensional Osp(N\2M) pseudoparticle mechanical mode
l which may be written as a phase space gauge theory. We show how the
pseudoparticle model naturally encodes and explains the two-dimensiona
l zero curvature approach to finding extended conformal symmetries. We
describe a procedure of partial gauge fixing of the Pseudoparticle mo
del that yields theories in which the Lagrange multiplier gauge fields
may be identified with the generators of superconformally extended W-
algebras. The residual gauge transformations of the gauge fields give
the superconformally extended W-algebra transformations of the generat
ors, while those of the pseudoparticle matter give the transformations
of matter under the superconformally extended W-algebra. Furthermore,
the pseudoparticle model allows one to derive the finite versions of
these generally nonlinear transformations. In particular, the partial
gauge fixing of the Osp(N\2) pseudoparticle mechanical model allows on
e to obtain the SO(N) invariant N-extended superconformal symmetry alg
ebras of Bershadsky and Knizhnik. These algebras are nonlinear for N g
reater-than-or-equal-to 3. We discuss in detail the cases of N = 1 and
N = 2, giving two new derivations of the superschwarzian derivatives.
Some comments are made in the N = 2 case on how twisted and topologic
al theories represent a significant deformation of the original partic
le model. The particle model also allows one to interpret superconform
al transformations as deformations of flags in super jet bundles over
the associated super Riemann surface.