diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b13077f..274da40 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Whitepace in this file is mostly ignored. If you absolutely need to put spaces a
 
 ### References
 
-If you want a key to inherit the values of another key, you can use a reference. Any property not specified for a key will be taken from the reference. References may optionally be enclosed by square brackets like the keys the reference.
+If you want a key to inherit the values of another key, you can use a reference. Any property not specified for a key will be taken from the reference.
 
 ### Example
 
diff --git a/lib/twine/stringsfile.rb b/lib/twine/stringsfile.rb
index 7cda2f1..03999ad 100644
--- a/lib/twine/stringsfile.rb
+++ b/lib/twine/stringsfile.rb
@@ -85,11 +85,6 @@ module Twine
       return match[1] if match
     end
 
-    def match_reference(text)
-      match = /^\[?(.+?)\]?$/.match(text)
-      return match[1] if match
-    end
-
     public
 
     def initialize
@@ -169,8 +164,7 @@ module Twine
               when 'tags'
                 current_row.tags = value.split(',')
               when 'ref'
-                key = match_reference(value)
-                current_row.reference_key = key if key
+                current_row.reference_key = value if value
               else
                 if !@language_codes.include? key
                   add_language_code(key)